I think the author argues from a position of near-total ignorance.
America is a laughably bad place to base a manufacturing operation. Labor laws and regulations are ridiculously strict. Laborers are paid more and work less than anywhere else in the world. The science of managing global supply chains would not exist if the collocation of development and manufacturing were so economically opposed to each other.
He argues that Apple "could then easily — and justifiably — charge a premium for American-made iPods or iPhones or products we haven’t even seen yet." I don't believe I have ever read anything so fatuous. Price is dictated by what the consumer wants to pay, not the need to make a profit as the trade with China so persuasively demonstrates.
The future of manufacturing is Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. It will not be Detroit. It is hard to find anything other than wishful thinking in this article.
I agree wholeheartedly. Apple charges what people will pay already. They aren't going to pay an extra 20% to have it made in Detroit.
The basis for the article is charity not profit. How does manufacturing their device in Detroit provide any competitive advantages. Apple does not have the margin or expertise to build semi-conductor fabs in Detroit, nor does the expertise exist to run such a plant in Detroit.
Comments
I think the author argues from a position of near-total ignorance.
America is a laughably bad place to base a manufacturing operation. Labor laws and regulations are ridiculously strict. Laborers are paid more and work less than anywhere else in the world. The science of managing global supply chains would not exist if the collocation of development and manufacturing were so economically opposed to each other.
He argues that Apple "could then easily — and justifiably — charge a premium for American-made iPods or iPhones or products we haven’t even seen yet." I don't believe I have ever read anything so fatuous. Price is dictated by what the consumer wants to pay, not the need to make a profit as the trade with China so persuasively demonstrates.
The future of manufacturing is Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. It will not be Detroit. It is hard to find anything other than wishful thinking in this article.
I agree wholeheartedly. Apple charges what people will pay already. They aren't going to pay an extra 20% to have it made in Detroit.
The basis for the article is charity not profit. How does manufacturing their device in Detroit provide any competitive advantages. Apple does not have the margin or expertise to build semi-conductor fabs in Detroit, nor does the expertise exist to run such a plant in Detroit.