As much as we are frustrated with low quality imported ‘junk’ we are our often to blame when it comes to these goods filling the marketplace. Here is the problem, companies must provide consumers with the lowest cost product and continue to improve their profits.
Investors want to see their portfolios gain value, therefore forcing companies to look for ways to reduce the material and/or labor cost that goes into making products. I work for a Fortune 500 company and our customers want a cost reduction on their products every year. With increasing regulations, material and labor cost in the U.S. we are forced to move products off shore or we will lose our contracts. No contracts, no investors and no jobs it never ends the terrible cycle of businesses closing or moving!
The good news, with many years of off shoring and the lessons learned, we can bring manufacturing back to the U.S. if consumers are willing to pay a little more for the goods. The current low cost countries are not the low cost option they were several years ago because their cost of living and manufacturing has increased!
I support Apple and would pay more for any U.S. made product, but we most also convince the investors that their portfolio will take a hit as well. Less greed in corporate America will lead to more “Made in USA” goods at the store!
