Why Amazon couldn’t make a Kindle here if it wanted to

[BDBoop]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2011/08/17/why-amazon-cant-make-a-kindle-in-the-usa/

 

[tonystewart1]

Wait until the day comes when we need to ramp up production here to defend ourselves in another world war. Then we are really screwed.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

That article makes no sense.

If anyone wanted to make any of that here they could. The technology to make all that stuff is not restricted by geography. Also, Apple does all of its manufacturing in China at Foxconn, which supposedly drives people to suicide.

 

[Kevin_Kennedy]

Wait until the day comes when we need to ramp up production here to defend ourselves in another world war. Then we are really screwed.

Not really. We've got enough companies invested in arming us for said world war right now, and there is no such war on the horizon. Not that it's likely that we'll have any business being in this world war, but if history is any guide we'll find ourselves mixed in somehow.

 

[Annie]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

Only if we allow ourselves to be. I mean you did read the 4th in the series? Note a very limited government involvement with one of those bucking the trend?

 

[midcan5]

It may sound utopian but Americans could change this if they had the will. Buy American made and complain when it isn't American made. Much of the technology was created here but the need to please the market and the corporate honchos has made cheap labor the panacea for profit. Consider a company like Nike that makes most of it profits here but makes nothing here, stop buying their stuff and you'd see some change. We will never return to the 40's and 50's but we can surely do better. How many here drive an America car made here?

"Because Ford, GM and Chrysler conduct far more of their research, design, engineering, manufacturing and assembly work in the U.S. than foreign automakers do, buying a Ford, GM, or Chrysler supports almost three times as many jobs as buying the average foreign automobile. Some comparisons are even more striking. Buying a Ford supports 3.5 times more jobs than buying a Hyundai. Comparing a Honda and a Hyundai? Buying a Honda supports more than 2 times more jobs."

GM versus Toyota

http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/files/scorecards/GM_v_Toyota.pdf

Ford v Toyota

http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/files/scorecards/Ford_v_Toyota.pdf

 

[California Girl]

Read that first word of the article "decades". So, that pretty much fucks the left wing argument that it's all down to Bush.

 

[Swagger]

I suppose all this serves to prove is that a sound, indigenous manufacturing industry (relative self-sufficiency) underpins a country's economy and world standing. China makes shit (lots of shit, in fact) and is steaming ahead of those who've switched to service-based economies. Service-based economies trade on assurances and promises. Economies that are rooted in manufacturing trade in tangible goods that you can physically see. If you can't see the advantages of the latter without it being explained, then you aren't in tune with basic human understanding.

 

[BDBoop]

Read that first word of the article "decades". So, that pretty much fucks the left wing argument that it's all down to Bush.

Once a day, I pick a battle with an idiot.

Would it KILL you to not partisan hack a thread. Just one.

 

[uscitizen]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

That article makes no sense.

If anyone wanted to make any of that here they could. The technology to make all that stuff is not restricted by geography. Also, Apple does all of its manufacturing in China at Foxconn, which supposedly drives people to suicide.

Actually the Apple part is the only part that does not make sense.
The rest is spot on.

 

[syrenn]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

Now say thank you to the unions.

 

[bripat9643]

Read that first word of the article "decades". So, that pretty much fucks the left wing argument that it's all down to Bush.

Once a day, I pick a battle with an idiot.

Would it KILL you to not partisan hack a thread. Just one.

There's always an idiot in every battle you're in.

 

[tonystewart1]

My point is that we may have the facilites to manufacture in mass. We could probably get them up and running quickly. What we dont have is the workforce to produce like we had to during ww2. There are not enough machinists and welders to start up large scale manufacture in the case of a world war.

 

[Trajan]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

apple designs their toys here but has them made at/by flexcomm.....same thing.

 

[BDBoop]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

Now say thank you to the unions.

/dutiful chorus

"Thank you, Mr. Union(s)."

OMG. Seriously. Goosebumps, and a little misty.

Look how much things have changed in 30 years.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO7VUklDlQw]Look for the Union Label 1981 classic ad - YouTube[/ame]

 

[BDBoop]

Read that first word of the article "decades". So, that pretty much fucks the left wing argument that it's all down to Bush.

Once a day, I pick a battle with an idiot.

Would it KILL you to not partisan hack a thread. Just one.

There's always an idiot in every battle you're in.

Only at your house, dimwatt.

 

[Zander]

What a crock of bullshit. We are not screwed. You may be screwed, that's your own fault. You can continue to buy the narrative that America is a nation in decline. I'll have to disagree.

The fish rots from the head. We are a great country that is being led by an undisciplined loser. When a loser is in charge of things it has an effect on mass psychology. People focus on the negatives when a LOSER is in charge. That is why these pessimistic articles and "doom and gloom" scenarios are becoming ubiquitous.

What we need is a strong leader. Someone who will right the ship. Get us back on course. Cut spending, reduce regulations, balance the budget, limit government, and get the fuck out of the way! The only thing strong about Obama is the odor he exudes, that's the stench of failure folks.

Here's what you need to do. Get a pair of clothespins, clamp them on your nose and do whatever you have to in order to get through the next 18 months of Obama stink. Then in Nov 2012 we can throw the rotted fish into the trashcan where it belongs.

 

[flacaltenn]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy, as noted by Gary Pisano and Willy Shih in a classic article, “Restoring American Competitiveness” (Harvard Business Review, July-August 2009)

The U.S. has lost or is on the verge of losing its ability to develop and manufacture a slew of high-tech products. Amazon’s Kindle 2 couldn’t be made in the U.S., even if Amazon wanted to:

• The flex circuit connectors are made in China because the US supplier base migrated to Asia.
• The electrophoretic display is made in Taiwan because the expertise developed from producting flat-panel LCDs migrated to Asia with semiconductor manufacturing.
• The highly polished injection-molded case is made in China because the U.S. supplier base eroded as the manufacture of toys, consumer electronics and computers migrated to China.
• The wireless card is made in South Korea because that country became a center for making mobile phone components and handsets.
• The controller board is made in China because U.S. companies long ago transferred manufacture of printed circuit boards to Asia.
• The Lithium polymer battery is made in China because battery development and manufacturing migrated to China along with the development and manufacture of consumer electronics and notebook computers.

An exception is Apple [AAPL], which “has been able to preserve a first-rate design capability in the States so far by remaining deeply involved in the selection of components, in industrial design, in software development, and in the articulation of the concept of its products and how they address users’ needs.”

We're pretty much screwed.

Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

That article makes no sense.

If anyone wanted to make any of that here they could. The technology to make all that stuff is not restricted by geography. Also, Apple does all of its manufacturing in China at Foxconn, which supposedly drives people to suicide.

Not really.. If you wanted to open a new PCBoard manufacturing plant in Silicon Valley, you'd need an army of people just to respond to all the Enviro Impact reports, materials handling and disposal issues and the myriad of dullard questions about whether you are "green enough".

Battery plants? are you crazy? It's not just cheap labor, but it's also the issue of laying out enough capital to make a "modern" facility that can avoid labor costs. That means a longer time to market to get the robotics and automation on-line.

A longer time to market is a KILLER when you are calculating ROI. So the only way out of this is "pre-design" the automation requirements. Like having drop-in materials handling that can be customized to a particular application just with moderate amounts of S/W development and coding..

 

[Douger]

My point is that we may have the facilites to manufacture in mass. We could probably get them up and running quickly. What we dont have is the workforce to produce like we had to during ww2. There are not enough machinists and welders to start up large scale manufacture in the case of a world war.

But you have murkins that can kick some serious ass on an Xbox.

 

[expat_panama]

Decades of outsourcing manufacturing have left U.S. industry without the means to invent the next generation of high-tech products that are key to rebuilding its economy...

We're pretty much screwed.Why Amazon Can't Make A Kindle In the USA - Forbes

Denning's a moron writing what passes for normal in Forbes. He and is useful idiots lack the focus to decide what they want, the honesty to see what we got, and the intelligence to make it happen.

First, they sort of say America would be better off having most of its workforce in manufacturing instead of services. That's crazy. OK it would be good if Denning the moron quit journalism to go tighten bolts at GM, but the rest of us have better things to do.

Second, they're kind of saying the US can't manufacture what it did in the last century. That's crazy too because even with the slump our outputs higher than anything before 2005-

The worst part is how these clowns use this muddle to push the same ol' big government tax'n'spend crock that's been holding us back for years now. Enough is enough.