While it may be true that no North American company can compete with the lower wages paid to workers in the developing world, on many other levels, North American plastic injection mold manufacturers are prospering. There are many North American plastic injection mold manufacturers who have taken on the future very successfully. Their approach may vary, but the common theme is technology and lean manufacturing.
One successful method is to use the lower labor costs in developing countries, while maintaining control of the projects stateside. These manufacturers control the injection mold design and complex manufacturing and employ the skilled workforce abroad for other operations. One tactic is to specialize in an area of tooling not yet threatened by foreign companies. Highly complex parts, medical parts, proprietary parts, or otherwise specialized parts are all good candidates.
Many plant owners have benefited from the flexibility of using software to manage their business. Sticky notes, scratch pads, fly-away papers just don’t run a business today! Managing your operations in an integrated manner can have a huge impact on your business.
One thing is for sure, the need for flexibility in the workplace has never been greater. Those who refuse to change run a very real risk of simply watching their business disappear. There are a great many programs out there, such as 5S, Lean Management, Six Sigma and many more. These can be a large help, if followed closely.
The fact is that global tooling competition is here to stay. It is pointless to try and remain isolated and work with the old ways. Technology and communication just won’t stand still for anyone. Companies that take on the new marketplace and work with it, rather than against it, often discover that new opportunities present themselves; and hopefully the profits will follow! Of course, all new methods entail risks, but the rewards can be well worth it.
