01.01.07
Does China have all the answers?
Source: Rail Technology Magazine Dec/Jan 2007
We live in an age of just in time deliveries. Whether it is in business or our personal lives, we must have it now with improved quality and performance. And looming ever larger is the China effect.
Over the last five to ten years, Chinese goods have had an enormous effect on our lives. We have all benefited from massively reduced prices for a whole range of goods available at garden centres and supermarkets. The knock on effect has been that the public perception is that all goods should be available at low prices irrespective of where they are manufactured.
You would expect Lantern Engineering, as a manufacturing company, to be a vociferous opponent of the “China” effect. Far from it. This is the market in operation. Lantern Engineering is fully signed up and sees the challenge from Far East manufacturers as an opportunity. It is all very well having low manufacturing costs but you have to be sure that the items are right for the job and you are not waiting three – four months whilst the slow boat from China finally gets into port. Technology and immediacy to the market are two significant advantages. Despite the obvious attractions of Chinese prices there is a massive role for UK manufacturers in providing high quality goods and services when customers want them.
Lantern Engineering has proved by supplying specialist items spherical bearings, tail pins, hardwood drills and bisquare impact sockets to the rail industry as well as mobile container loading ramps to the distribution and logistics industry, all when customers want them. Maybe China does not have all the answers.
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