Right on Jim, and since we are free trade partners, ditto for Canada.
Jim Martin
________________________________
From: SMMW <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 12:35:18 PM
Subject: {S-Scale List} Made in the USA
The RTR mfrs are in a pickle simply because China has been their primary
source, if not sole source, for products for a LONG time. A comment made
farther down Jason’s blog re: offering kits has merit but the RTR momentum,
particularly if we’re trying to entice younger modelers to “join us”, will be
difficult to slow down or redirect.
I’ve been a design engineer in the manufacturing world all of my professional
life (since 1981). I’ve been privileged to have worked in many industries,
ranging from Navy Nuclear subcontractor, to industrial thermometers, to making
jet engine parts, pneumatic pumps, injection molding, sheet metal, foundries
and rapid prototyping. They all have 1 common threat: everything was made in
the US. Granted, none of these industries cater to the fickle hobby world (not
JUST model railroading is included here), but each of my employers were
committed to stay with Made in the USA as long as possible. Nearly all of
those employers are still in business although I’m sure a few have contracted
more expensive parts of their processes to offshore sources.
I have been a firm believer that there IS a way to continue making model RR
parts solely in the US at a price that will not cause “sticker shock”. America
has the greatest manufacturing and design diversity and potential on Earth but
corporate greed has led many CEO’s and stockholders to look for the easy way to
make a buck instead of keeping jobs here. It takes hard work to continually
come up with better ways to build the proverbial mouse trap but many companies
would rather sell out to a Communist country then try to resolve difficult
problems.
I’m not going on a rant here; this list is NOT the place for that. I’m simply
stating my position as a model RR manufacturer since 1994. Here’s the “model
RR content” portion: Given that costs to produce anything in China that’s
labor- or petroleum-related will continue to rise for at least several years,
the playing field between the US and China continues to get more level every
day. If more US mfrs would take the time to develop highly-efficient processes
that can produce a better quality product for even a little more money than
China, I think we will start seeing model RR goodies made here. Think about
just the money saved in shipping containers halfway around world! Kadee and
many others have been doing it for a long time. It won’t happen overnight but
it CAN be done. If it means we will see more semi-RTR or kits, that’s fine
too. That helps the detail parts guys even more.
I’m proud to state on my web site that all of my products are Made in The USA,
including raw materials. It’s way past time for others to bring this stuff
back to the US even if it costs (for now) a little more on sticker price.
Jim King
Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc.
Ph. (828) 777-5619
<www.smokymountainmodelworks.com>
