But the most important deliverable created by overseas outsourcing is lower priced gloves. However, domestic production can and does thrive despite these pressures. Domestic manufacturers are typically more apt to manage quality through control of the production process. In addition, that control enables a producer to meet eleventh hour requests and specialized customer needs. In addition, heavy investment in automating the production line helps keep labor cost in check while allowing better management of capacity and inventory.
Domestic plants provide a manufacturer distribution capabilities outsourcers can t match.
The second reality shaping the domestic manufacturer s world is the end users demand for better hand protection at lower prices. As industrial end users here and abroad face increasing pressure to reduce the overhead associated with making their finished goods, the race is on to eliminate cost and fat from every aspect of their operations. The safety engineer finds himself just as keenly focused on holding down costs as holding down accidents and workplace injuries. He needs the right glove at the right price. An unhealthy byproduct is a hand protection industry without a focus on innovation and dwindling new product pipeline.