Mandarin headline isn't so startling
The headline written in Mandarin didn't startle me because I have taken up Mandarin (Editor's View, October).
I work for a small, regional component distributor that woke up about two years ago and started dealing with manufacturers directly in China because the so-called "American" manufacturers were doing so and making a 30% to 40% margin, but limiting me to 15% to 20% for the "honor" of carrying their product. We don't import everything we sell, but there are key products that we just cannot make a profit from selling through franchised lines.
There are no easy answers or solutions and I do believe our government needs to take a bigger role in what is happening in our industry. But when Americans demand $20 to $30 per hour to put nuts and bolts on automobile assembly lines, something has to give.
Ten to fifteen years ago, our industry complained about the exodus of business to Mexico. Ten years from now, we'll complain about more going to India and Pakistan.
Wade Crise
Company name withheld
