Comments on: I support China, USA, Indonesia….

By: GraysOnTrays.com

GraysOnTrays.com — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:32:00 +0000

As for China, well, yes, there are some serious problems there. Consider though that more people there have left extreme poverty in a shorter amount of time than in any other era in history.

As for environmental standards, they cost money. In the early industrial history of the US, we were desperate for development (as are most Chinese today), so we put up with stuff (air pollution, for example) that we wouldn't put up with today. So we're willing to suffer a bit. China is already feeling the need to clean up the air.

As for human rights, we should press for China to follow agreements they have made, but also keep in mind that, say, we had child labor well into the 19th century (sort of where they are, economically). So press the point but don't be self-righteous about it.

Resist the temptation to feel bad about buying gear that isn't made in the USA. Money you save by buying stuff made elsewhere is money that you spend on stuff and services that employee people here in this country.

As for what's in my gear bin, the most interesting thing I've found is that my board (Salomon Special) has "Made in Tunisia" imprinted on the base. China, I would expect. Tunisia, not.

John

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:56:00 +0000

how's that melamine milkshake taste?

China apologists are wack.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:51:00 +0000

China is wack.

By: Marc

Marc — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:39:00 +0000

I think in the current age of 4$ gas, we’re going to see a shift. For years, companies have reaped the benefits of outsourcing manufacturing to countries with lower labour costs (and usually more lax envionrmental policies). However, expensive gas makes it more expensive to ship manufactured goods to the places where those goods are consumed. I think we may see a phenomenon of reverse-globalisation soon where the local economy rules.

By: Shayboarder

Shayboarder — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:25:00 +0000

I updated it with links to where the companies talk about their production overseas with photos or write ups. Spacecraft you have to go into the spring catalog to get the stories of some of the workers in Bali and the workmanship that goes into their products. It’s great to see a company recognize that they can help another town across the world and do it respectfully.

Burton has already been in China…nothing new there. Machines are machines. That’s why I love O-matic’s motto…handcrafted by expensive machines because it’s that way for everyone, they just don’t want to admit it.

By: Lou G.

Lou G. — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:14:00 +0000

Nice,

Just the other day some kid on one of the message boards was mouthing on 'Burton exporting manufacturing to China, so watch out..."

I asked him what made the machines in China so different from the ones in the U.S.

I agree, it's not so much where products are made but the care, love and research that went into its design.

I didn't know there were 'inside the factory' deals from a few companies... I'm off to check it out.