We don't make stuff any more
March 21st, 2018, 08:09 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,150
We don't make stuff any more
Just saw an interesting stat from the U.S. Department of Labor.
On February 28, 1942, the U.S. population was 134.9 million, and there were 13.1 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. That's just under 10% of the population (everyone, including men, women, and children) working in manufacturing.
On February 28, 2018, the U.S. population was 325.7 million, and there were 12.6 million manufacturing jobs, or just under 4% of the population.
Of course, 1942 was in the midst of World War II, when we were turning out war materiel like crazy and there were Rosie the Riveters everywhere, but still....
On February 28, 1942, the U.S. population was 134.9 million, and there were 13.1 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. That's just under 10% of the population (everyone, including men, women, and children) working in manufacturing.
On February 28, 2018, the U.S. population was 325.7 million, and there were 12.6 million manufacturing jobs, or just under 4% of the population.
Of course, 1942 was in the midst of World War II, when we were turning out war materiel like crazy and there were Rosie the Riveters everywhere, but still....
March 21st, 2018, 09:05 AM
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,257
The majority of manufacturing has moved to low cost regions, due to:
1. Significantly lower labor costs (typically 10% of US wages)
2. No benefits costs (US is typically 25-30% of the labor coat)
3. Minimal to no environmental expenses
4. Minimal to no insurance requirements
5. No OSHA or strict government regulations
This means that products made in low cost regions are usually 60-90% cheaper to manufacture.
We cannot compete, as the playing field is not level.
However, a bigger problem is shaping up - all of the no skilled/low skilled labor pouring into the USA illegally will have much fewer jobs. Automation will fill the demand for these types of jobs. That means millions who cannot find work. It will be a huge problem in the next 10-20 years.
1. Significantly lower labor costs (typically 10% of US wages)
2. No benefits costs (US is typically 25-30% of the labor coat)
3. Minimal to no environmental expenses
4. Minimal to no insurance requirements
5. No OSHA or strict government regulations
This means that products made in low cost regions are usually 60-90% cheaper to manufacture.
We cannot compete, as the playing field is not level.
However, a bigger problem is shaping up - all of the no skilled/low skilled labor pouring into the USA illegally will have much fewer jobs. Automation will fill the demand for these types of jobs. That means millions who cannot find work. It will be a huge problem in the next 10-20 years.
March 21st, 2018, 09:19 AM
#5
Proud Viet Nam Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 9,936
Megatrends was published by John Naisbitt in 1982. He made a very accurate projection of what was going to happen in this country. In a nutshell he said this country was going from a manufacturing society to one that processed information. Keep in mind that the desktop micro computer was in it's infancy and Microsoft was probably about 4 years old.
March 21st, 2018, 09:36 AM
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,524
Nafta and other free trade agreements, compounded the problem with fee free importing. The problem with free trade is established large countries cannot compete in the cost of goods manufactured by the emerging economies without tarrifs. We need to come up with a system of free trade using some of the virtues of mercantilism. We need to get back to where we export more than we import.
March 22nd, 2018, 09:17 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Nassau County, NY
Posts: 1,019
And the # 1 question boys and girls How did NAFTA help us???? Like Ross Perot said years ago if NAFTA goes through you will hear a woosh, that's the sound of our jobs and economy getting flushed into Mexico. Anyone trade with Canada that much anymore? It did Mexico so good back then that their economy collapsed and has never recovered. The truth about NAFTA was mentioned in #3 above, Environmental issues. These companies are now polluting the water in Mexico, blaming the working man was just a bonus. Yet not one talks about the CEO's who rape these companies and disappear when they start to collapse. Interesting thought... If people here don't have a source of income to purchase these goods then what good does it do to make them at a cheaper rate? It's not like that savings is being passed on the the consumer. Products are of amazingly less quality.
As an example an electrical GFCI receptacle made in USA 25-30 years ago was a quality product, now the ones you get from south of the US have a ratio of 9:1 for functioning correctly. One out of every 10 is good??? Yea that's efficient.
As an example an electrical GFCI receptacle made in USA 25-30 years ago was a quality product, now the ones you get from south of the US have a ratio of 9:1 for functioning correctly. One out of every 10 is good??? Yea that's efficient.
March 22nd, 2018, 09:33 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 522
The majority of manufacturing has moved to low cost regions, due to:
1. Significantly lower labor costs (typically 10% of US wages)
2. No benefits costs (US is typically 25-30% of the labor coat)
3. Minimal to no environmental expenses
4. Minimal to no insurance requirements
5. No OSHA or strict government regulations
This means that products made in low cost regions are usually 60-90% cheaper to manufacture.
We cannot compete, as the playing field is not level.
However, a bigger problem is shaping up - all of the no skilled/low skilled labor pouring into the USA illegally will have much fewer jobs. Automation will fill the demand for these types of jobs. That means millions who cannot find work. It will be a huge problem in the next 10-20 years.
1. Significantly lower labor costs (typically 10% of US wages)
2. No benefits costs (US is typically 25-30% of the labor coat)
3. Minimal to no environmental expenses
4. Minimal to no insurance requirements
5. No OSHA or strict government regulations
This means that products made in low cost regions are usually 60-90% cheaper to manufacture.
We cannot compete, as the playing field is not level.
However, a bigger problem is shaping up - all of the no skilled/low skilled labor pouring into the USA illegally will have much fewer jobs. Automation will fill the demand for these types of jobs. That means millions who cannot find work. It will be a huge problem in the next 10-20 years.
Yes 60 to 90% cheaper to manufacture, And yet you still pay the U.S. price.
And the quality went right down the toilet. CEO's make a killing. Gotta love it
March 22nd, 2018, 09:35 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 522
And the # 1 question boys and girls How did NAFTA help us???? Like Ross Perot said years ago if NAFTA goes through you will hear a woosh, that's the sound of our jobs and economy getting flushed into Mexico. Anyone trade with Canada that much anymore? It did Mexico so good back then that their economy collapsed and has never recovered. The truth about NAFTA was mentioned in #3 above, Environmental issues. These companies are now polluting the water in Mexico, blaming the working man was just a bonus. Yet not one talks about the CEO's who rape these companies and disappear when they start to collapse. Interesting thought... If people here don't have a source of income to purchase these goods then what good does it do to make them at a cheaper rate? It's not like that savings is being passed on the the consumer. Products are of amazingly less quality.
As an example an electrical GFCI receptacle made in USA 25-30 years ago was a quality product, now the ones you get from south of the US have a ratio of 9:1 for functioning correctly. One out of every 10 is good??? Yea that's efficient.
As an example an electrical GFCI receptacle made in USA 25-30 years ago was a quality product, now the ones you get from south of the US have a ratio of 9:1 for functioning correctly. One out of every 10 is good??? Yea that's efficient.
March 22nd, 2018, 10:26 AM
#10
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Margate, England
Posts: 2,513
Yup. Their job is to show black ink below the line and pay out dividends. If it means cutting down the tree to sell the fruit, so be it.
Mostly they will be retired on a fat pension by the time the company collapses.
Roger.
Mostly they will be retired on a fat pension by the time the company collapses.
Roger.
Last edited by rustyroger; March 23rd, 2018 at 04:47 AM.
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