>As long as consumers insist on selecting consumer goods primarily on the basis of cheapest that is just barely good enough, we will never see a change......Arild< Here, here Arild. We have inadvertently created our own problems. Developed Countries are loosing their manufacturing at the highest rate in history largely because we constantly demand higher wages but spend our money on the least expensive solutions. The pendulum swings. Rex

Rex wrote: We have inadvertently created our own problems. Developed Countries are loosing their manufacturing at the highest rate in history largely because we constantly demand higher wages but spend our money on the least expensive solutions. The pendulum swings. Rex REPLY It is interesting to note that a number of smaller companies still do make things domestically and they are still in business and apparently making enough profit to remain solvent. Mermaid in Fort Meyers make stuff in-house. Analytic Devices in Richmond BC also make things locally and offers some really superior products Glendinning Kobelt and Wagner are still in business making things domestically Ditto for several heater companies. East Penn is a domestic manufacturing company whose battery products consistently outperform their Asian competitor's equivalent. A number of small volume domestic yacht builders such as Northern, Westbay, Camano, American Tug etc. do build domestically and produce a good product using domestic labor at the going wage. So it can be done. I can't count how many east coast builders there are but it is sizable. Regrettably when companies grow too large something seems to happen. Last week Palmer Johnson announced they are going under and closing their doors. Many of their employees are being snapped up by other builders. Hopefully the pool of skilled workers can be kept together and set to work to perpetuate the fine craftsmanship so evident in P-J yachts. Cheers Arild --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release Date: 11/25/2002