NEW BALANCE FOOTWEAR, STILL MAKING ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR IN AMERICA

     Some of you who read my blog must think I'm a starry eyed idealist to believe that it still makes sense to make  small, lightweight, intricate products in North America.  Sure you say.  I've given some local examples in my blog of companies like Custom Leather(belts), Salus(lifejackets), Kodiak(workboots), Roots(Leather Bags) and Cutco(kitchen cutlery) who produce some or all of their production on this…

                                                                              "OWN THE PODIUM"

                WHAT CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS CAN LEARN FROM OUR WINTER OLYMPIC SUCCESS STORY

     Arguably, the overwhelming success of the Vancouver Winter Olympics and our Canadian athletes should be a shining example of what it takes for Canadian manufacturers to compete on a global scale.  After winning the Olympic bid, an audacious(some would say unCanadian) plan was put in place called "Own the…

IS THE WORLD FLAT OR ROUND?

IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE PRICE OF OIL

     In my last blog, The Last (Man)-ufacturing Standing Strategy, I argued against Canadian manufacturers liquidating their factories and becoming strictly importers and distributors from Asia.

To me, maintaining your ability to make product on this side of the pond  makes good sense as a hedge against unforeseen events that could change the cost structure of your imported goods literally overnight.

In his recent Canadian bestseller…

THE LAST "(MAN)-UFACTURER" STANDING STRATEGY

     When you enter the lobby of Custom Leather's 60,000 sq. ft. men's belt manufacturing company in Kitchener's new Bingeman Industrial Park, the unmistakable smell of leather greets you.  For me, this smell takes me back to my early days of selling cutting dies to Kaufman, Greb, Bauer, Savage, New Balance and the many other local companies that once converted leather hides to shoes back in the 70's but no longer exist today.  Then I ask myself. …

TOYOTA'S MADE IN CANADA CAMPAIGN

     I don't know if you noticed but Toyota Canada came out with some big news the past few weeks.  Their Canadian November total car sales beat all brands for the first time in their history.  As well, they announced the addition of a second shift of production at their year old RAV4 plant in Woodstock which will require the hiring of 800 additional employees.  While Toyota's quality, reliability, pricing and overall fuel economy are obviously key drivers of …

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH"

PROMOTING QUALITY AS A MARKETING ADVANTAGE

     Almost everyone I know still uses things in their home that they inherited or purchased years ago that still work flawlessly after decades of use.  It might be a mixmaster or toaster oven, a dining room set or sofa, a dress coat or a pair of workboots; all most probably made in Canada or the U.S.A.   We all love to tell people about things we own that just seem to last and last.  How times have changed. …

DON'T KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS IN THE DARK

      Whether it's a lifejacket, a baby stroller, a barbecue, lawn furniture, a rugby shirt, or a pair of socks or workboots, if you are manufacturing a high quality product here in Canada that is targeting the mid to high end of your market, its critical that you provide your customers as much company and product information as possible in an effective way,  so that they can justify spending more money on your product than they would otherwise spend on…

THE EUROPEANS DO IT BETTER

     A couple of weeks ago I attended a seminar entitled "The Future of Ontario Manufacturing"at the Canadian-German Trade Consulate.  I learned some interesting things.  Did you know that the Manufacturing Multiplier Effect(every 1$ spent spins off an additional 3$ of spillover) is the largest by far of any sector.  Hourly wages for manufacturing employees are 25% higher than overall average wages in Ontario.  75% of all private sector Research and Development is…

BRANDING YOUR PRODUCT

IT'S NOT ONLY FOR THE BIG BOYS

     My last blog about the Hellman's "Eat Real Eat Local" Internet campaign is a perfect case of a Branding exercise designed to create increased consumer awareness and connection by tying Hellmans's Real Mayonnaise(as opposed to their main competitor Miracle Whip) to the rapidly growing Local Food Movement.  And it was most probably designed and produced by a high priced advertising agency that most smaller manufacturers could never afford. …