On October 29, 2009 in Santa Clara at Agilent, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Silicon Valley Chapter 98 presented “Technology, Manufacturing And The Economy”. Dr. Will Grossman of JDS Uniphase and Barbara Roberts of Wright Engineered Plastics.
First, Dr. Will Grossman, the Chief Technology Officer of JDS Uniphase (JDSU), talked about breakthroughs in optical products and test and measurement solutions for the communications industry. In the past fifty years lasers have literally been the cutting edge of technology, particularly severing links in microcircuits. Pulsed infrared and ultraviolet lasers are used in marking, micromachining of electronic materials, or trimming and drilling photovoltaic materials. More accurate lasers create less waste and are more energy efficient.
Second, Barbara Roberts of Wright Engineered Plastics is one of the Bay Area manufacturers attracting production work returning from Asia. A recognized authority on this trend, Roberts said the lowest price is not always the lowest cost. The hidden costs of off-shoring can be countered by the advantages of on-shoring. When off-shoring, you might save money but it might take longer, with unexpected delays and complicated paperwork. A shipment tied up at customs can incur storage fees. Expect to travel a lot. There can be the unpleasant surprise of opening the box and not getting what you paid for and trying to get credit for defects. On-shoring means you can to move quickly from research and development to manufacturing. The inevitable revision cycles are shorter. Responding quickly to demand can increase market share and repeat business. You can protect intellectual property and not create competitors. The human rights of workers are more likely to protected. Goods produced locally can reduce energy costs and be made from environmentally sustainable materials. A close relationship with a local supplier can make the difference between success and failure.
Copyright 2009 DJ Cline All rights reserved.