Just got back from Taiwan.

[Terp84Alum]

My bet is they saw you leave and come back.

[Berserker]

I started out after college working in a steel mill. Imported steel was hurting us, as they were trying to get over the GM strike of the late 90s.

Couple years later as steel was coming back up in prices, I was working in a foundry then, I though good for the steel mill. I read an article about a small shop, who just couldn't afford the high prices. Like most things in life its compliacted.

Same thing for GM strike. Hurt people that had nothing to do with GM.

[TerryMiller]

The international flights were ok. I was wearing slip on steel toes so they had to come off.

One time I was on my way to Pine Bluff Arkansas to measure some reducers for a dam project because the Corps of Engineers wanted us to verify fit. I had a 24" caliper, a 60" carbon fiber super inside micrometer and some miscellaneous small measuring tools that I was just going to carry on all taped together. The bundle was maybe 3" x 8" x 28" with the boxes.

The inspector cut the tape and started swinging the caliper like a hatchet. Then he started tapping on the steel table before he denied me entrance. I told him that carbon fiber micrometer was worth more than his car and if he broke it he'd be buying me a new one. He quit tapping it then. One of his coworkers saw the stuff and told him it was ok, but he'd denied me entrance and that was it.

I had to get out of line and pay $100 to check it.

The international guys are crazy about liquids. One of the vendors bought me a couple of bottles of local brandy and wine. I couldn't bring it through security so I had to buy another piece of luggage to check it. Then of course the luggage had to be scanned because it was the second time I'd checked luggage.

[tcspannerwrench]

Originally Posted by TerryMiller

I'll open the reasons for my visit up for discussion. Hopefully this doesn't get moved to R&P because I don't have or want access to that.

My company has historically made small gears used in aftermarket automotive and small machines. That line became unprofitable.

We made these parts the last couple of years because work was pretty difficult to get but that's no longer the case. Korea and mainland China quoted the parts for us but even they won't make the parts for the current prices.

Our choices were to almost double the prices or find overseas vendors to make the parts at the current price levels.

I'm sure there are a few small shops in the US that can make these gears profitably at the current prices. I'm also certain that the gears would become unprofitable for them once they implemented the necessary quality control processes.

Our customers were notified that we are no longer going to make their parts in house. Several have asked us to re quote the parts to be profitable. We'll do that. Most have requested that we develop overseas suppliers to make their product. We'll supervise the suppliers and provide the warranty.

This trip was the initial meeting between our company and the Taiwanese vendors. The Taiwanese vendors could make this work because most of these shops do overflow work for companies like Dana Spicer. Their factories are designed for this size and quantity of work.

I explained what we want and why we want it. Some of that's changed after seeing how they control their quality.

Small lot manufacturing is pretty different there although within a few years I think it'll be about the same as here. We still have better manufacturing processes but only because we have larger manufacturing operations.

So that's it. The reasons behind my visit. I'd be interested in any opinions.

first spacely sprockets then cogswell cogs now your company whats America coming to.

you did say any!

[TerryMiller]

[QUOTE=tcspannerwrench;138259]first spacely sprockets then cogswell cogs

/QUOTE]

Pioneers da both of em.