Disqus - Latest Comments for SandraStuber

Re: How Would You to Bring Back Manufacturing?

SandraStuber — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:16:56 -0000

If I were in federal, state or local government (which I am not) I would put an abrupt end to "promoting exports of American made products."

Manufacuring executives, Boards of Directors and Shareholders already know their best/only hope for long-term growth and prosperity lies in established and emerging markets. Those same executives are well aware they must build a new strategy that takes them from "export curious" to "Best-in-Breed" global competitors.

Instead of simply "promoting exports" - the U.S. government needs to set an example practiced by each and every other industrialized nation - that of "facilitiating trade". There is a big, big difference in the terms, and the failure to understand the difference will not be to our long-term benefit.

Facilitating trade is delivering real services, by real people, at a price the end user is able to pay. Strategic plans, backed up by benchmarking of successful exporters, would go along way in telling us what individual firms need, and how we could go about delivering the services.

When it comes to globalization (of American products) there is no "one -size-fits-all" solution. And, we need to stop believing there is a solution that will help each of us. However, replacing our focus of "export promotion" with "export facilitation" we would begin to build the infrastructure, the real-world services and global processes which could make us better prepared to compete now, and in the future.

I know one thing - and I know it well. As adults, we learn best by doing. A person cannot get global managerial skills by reading about them in a book. It takes mission-critical experience, lots of time and working capital to build a global supply chain.

But build it we must. Our foreign competitors are already consistently selling their manufactured goods into one of the most stable, and largest markets, in the world. It's time to better finance, train and support the export willing, and stop wasting resources on those manufacturers who choose, for whatever reason, to remain domestic. After all, not every firm is destined to become a global competitor.

If I had the power to do so - I would build and implement a Global Manufacturing Mentor Group - staffed by volunteers who have worked in foreign markets, and would be willing to Mentor others who are just starting the globalization process.

Low cost - easy to access, it might lower the risk experienced by first-time exporters. What manufacturers don't need, at the moment, are high priced trade consultants, or others, telling them to compete in foreign markets. It ain't enough.

Re: A Business Plan for Jobs

SandraStuber — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:06:52 -0000

n65321 - I strongly disagree with your statement that Mr. Donohue's article is neither realistic nor achievable. As a "Greybeard" Global Trade Consultant and Project Manager I believe he is spot - on - especially his call to double U.S. exports over the next five years. I might have called for a four fold increase.

The end results are called "foreign exchange" and Americans would add value to their firms, regions and communities to understand it's full $$ impact. Our direct foreign competitors eat, sleep and breathe foreign exchange. We should be, also.

There is only one way to generate "Foreign exchange" - produce a commercially viable product, with quality workmanship and sell that product in established and emerging markets.

The Global Economy is not a state of mind - it is very real and it's time for all Americans to stop debating it's merits. To ignore the need to capture it's promise, current and future opportunities is to invite disaster.

n65321, I take issue with your assumption that we can't be in direct competition with $2 a day labor- I would agree with you if employee wages were the only criteria - they're not. Speed - to - Market, Quality workmanship, product testing, Innovation and After the Sale Customer Services still account for something. Employee wages are only one small part of the equation.

Additionally, there are over 333,000 U.S. manufacturing firms that have not left. Never would. Some who have are experiencing difficulties, and some are planning to bring their base of operations back.

You stated that free trade, not protection, got us where we are today. In my professional opinion, the LACK OF free trade got us where we are today. It's common knowledge that foreign competition will continue to erode our domestic market share - in some producing sectors that loss will escalate from 15%, 30% up to 49%- . Mr./Ms. n65321, are you suggesting we ignore those figures, or should we be working together to actually do something about them.

I fully support Mr. Donohoue's position. His article is timely, thought provoking and tells me he has a firm grasp of issues facing the U.S. today. He needs foot soliders - even warriers - to help him implement his vision.

Mr./Ms. n65321 - whomever you might be, I think you owe Mr. Donohue an apology. And, yes, I'm signing my name to this post.

Sandra Stuber

Re: U.S. Chamber Leaders Travel to Asia Calling for Trade Agreements

SandraStuber — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:11:17 -0000

I feel I must respond to the statement of Mr. Donohue - We are standing on the sidelines while Asian nations clinch new trade deals,” Donohue said. “We’ll pay the price if this continues.

Mr. Donohue - America IS paying the price of standing on the global sidelines. Not later, not tomorrow, but now. I can't be any clearer in my message.

Instead of launching an 8 day trade mission to Asia, you and several members of congress might have served America better if you would have gone to Steubenville, Akron, Pittsburg, Wheeling or wherever - and actively listened to those manufacturing executives you are mandated to serve.

Please answer one question for me, and others, and only one: What is the benefit of 168 Free Trade Agreements in force in Asia? Maybe it's me - but I believe it is time for leadership in the U.S. - not another agreement.

"It’s time to see action from Washington.” - Don't hold your breath. Those Congressmen and Senators have very little experience in the manufacturing sectors - they have never stayed at the plant until 10PM and hadn't had any dinner.

If we want real reform in the imbalance of trade, we need to go back to the old values of listening, sharing and rolling up our sleeves. Eight days in Asia don't sound bad, but it's not going to be any better, when you get home.

Re: Does Obama Administration Have Any Kind Of Plan To Support U.S. Manufacturers?

SandraStuber — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:41:00 -0000

Manufacturers must come to grips with one issue: all their available resources should be directed to global sales, and operations planning. One critical reason is that domestic market share is being lost, even as we speak.

What was a 6 - 12% market loss is projected to reach 25- 49% in some sectors, within the next five years. There is a very real possibility that the market could implode around us.

While Rome burns, we continue to fiddle. What's surprising is that our foreign competitors are no larger, more sophisticated nor better prepared than ourselves. Obviously, because they are already selling their goods in one of the largest, most prosperous, markets in the world.

If we continue to wait on a plan from the Beltway, we will miss the opportunity to become, and stay, competitive. No plan = no profits. Period.

I'd like to hear your comments, and feedback. Today might be a good day to tackle this issue.

Re: Washington Refocus Needed to Save Manufacturing

SandraStuber — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:22:03 -0000

I have said it before, and I will say it again - asking President Obama, Congress or any other Federal Agency for solutions to the manufacturing crisis is like beating a dead horse. The Manufacturing Sector has long asked Congress for a "level playing field" - when all the while they have had comparable - even superior - resources to forge one for themselves.

Ladies and gentlemen - it's time to get the moose on the table. Our foreign competitiors are selling low wage, low cost products into one of the largest, most sophisticated markets in the world. Some sectors are projected to lose up to 49% of their domestic market share, within the next five years.

Manufacturing jobs are critical to the future of the economy. However, we need more resources, financing and solutions to help the companies that create & maintain the jobs.

Those jobs won't mean much if the plant is closed.

Re: Ohio Manufacturers Announce Thousands of Layoffs

SandraStuber — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:36:40 -0000

To; mack1de, and all. RE: Sencorp (Cincinnati) / Severstal / Colfor & others listed in article "OHIO MANUFACTURERS ANNOUNCE THOUSANDS OF LAYOFFS"

The jobs being lost in Ohio, and surrounding states, are critical to the individuals and communities in which they live. I'm conducting advanced research into the job loss issue and am wondering if anyone can tell me if these firms were actively exporting into established or emerging markets?

My research indicates there is a direct relationship between job loss and/or plant closings and an under - developed global Supply Chain.

Can anyone shed some light on this issue? Thanks.
Sandra Stuber, Managing Partner, Appalachian Trade Development, LLC <sls19@verizon.net>