The threat steadily grows, says Whelan, who observed the plant expansions underway a year ago. A plant can be up and running in 60 days. Since, she says, she's learned manufacturing capacity has doubled still again. Because of abundant labor, these companies typically employ six times more workers than their U.S. counterparts. They must fully understand, then harness and capitalize on, the opportunities that manufacturing in the Far East provide.
Abundant labor is Southern China's only natural resource.
Most production occurs in 10 Far East countries, and most have free-trade zones, but provincial and national governments significantly regulate production. 100 percent turnover at all plants visited. They aren't allowed to stay in a province more than two years. The Philippines averaged only five percent turnover and Vietnam even less. Chinese manufacturers need improvement at all stages of production and need U.S. technology, but the U.S. isn't likely to help a competitor.