Last weekend I met someone who lives in China. I have read a lot about China recently with respect to the influence it has over the U.S. economy. Speaking with someone who lives there and runs a factory there has only reinforced what I have read. Do not underestimate China.

It is no secret that many of the products that we buy in the U.S. are manufactured in China. I didn’t realize how bad it really was until a few years ago. I was working for Applied Biochemists and I was assigned the task of finding a gift for a visiting customer. Ironically he was from South Korea. The one requirement (besides the monetary one), was that it was something manufactured in the U.S.A. If it said “made in China” it would not be acceptable. My friend and I searched for hours to try to find something that was manufactured in the U.S.A. Try it some time, it is not an easy task.

The manufacturing industry in the U.S. is trailing behind other countries like China. Some will argue that it is because it is burdened with many government regulations that inhibits growth in the manufacturing industry, or that it relates to the strength of the dollar. These are both valid arguments. There is another factor that I think plays a big role and many refuse to discuss it because it forces them to take a closer look at themselves. What is it? Two simple words – work ethic. more…