As a small company and manufacturer, I try to run my business with a social conscience. I give a percentage of sales to charity, breast cancer awareness. I have my products made in the USA. I try to buy goods to make my product that are made in the USA, and that is the reason for this blog:
The elastic I use has been outsourced to India. This just happened. I am in mid production of my fall line and short only a few yards. I called all the distributors I do business with and was told no one can get this type of elastic. There seems to be a problem getting the elastic out of India. Also when and if it is released from Indian clutches it will be at a higher price because elastic is a petroleum based product. I never had a problem when it was made in the USA. In fact, for such a small amount of elastic I called several fabric stores and was told their shelves are depleted. Such is the plight of a small business like mine, as well as the company who outsourced and who is now losing sales.
Outsourcing seems not to be the answer to cut costs for several other businesses. The Associated Press had a couple of articles recently regarding some other local companies.
A Taiwanese-owned plant that makes American shoes, employing 20,000 Vietnamese workers had a two day strike over wages. Consumer prices and inflation in Viet Nam are rising. The strike was settled and now employees are getting $65.00 per month, about the cost of a pair of this company’s shoes from the discount rack.
Also a big pickle company, who used to buy cucumbers and dill weed from local farmers in Oregon and Washington, is now buying the cucumbers, pickling, and packing them in India. I think free trade is great, but I am having a few misgivings.
In my company, Haralee.Com, I know the people sewing my products are making a living wage. I know they take pride in their work because they are able to afford to buy my garments for themselves. I ask my customers to think about the power they have with their spending dollars. You can choose with thought and less guilt who to buy from. Personally, I am waiting for mills in Rhode Island and North Carolina to contact me about the elusive American elastic. I know I won’t be buying shoes made in Viet Nam, and I will be shopping local farmers’ markets this summer for pickling cukes and make my own North West pickles!
2 comments:
That is actually horrible to hear about the elastic band industry moving to India.
Certainly sounds like there is an opportunity there but where?
How about......Duct Tape. I'll bet something can be done with duct tape. Even if duct tape is ridiculous, I don't think it is......may be it will spur someone else's creativity to help you, and thwart the efforts of C.H.A.O.S to horde all the elastic material from the free world.
Maxwell S
Thank-you for your comments. I did find a mill in South Carolina that makes elastic. I was able to order and hopefully will see it in about a month. I do agree with you,I never underestimate Duct Tape.
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