Rock Center
Some jobs that were outsourced to China are returning to the United States. At Lincolnton Furniture in North Carolina, owner Bruce Cochrane has reopened a once-shuttered factory and is proud to announce that his company's wood furniture is, once again, made in America. His company has created more than 100 new jobs.
Harold Sirkin of the Boston Consulting Group projects that the shift from manufacturing in China back to the U.S., commonly referred to as 'reverse outsourcing' or 'insourcing,' will have a major impact on employment.
"Our projections are, when you take the manufacturing jobs and then the service jobs that get created alongside those, that we will add two to three million jobs to the U.S. workforce,” Sirkin told NBC's Harry Smith in an interview broadcast Monday night on Rock Center with Brian Williams.
The news provides hope for some Americans that jobs they thought were lost forever might be making the round trip back to the United States.
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You go Lincolnton Furniture! Best wishes for your success! Great to realize how people matter--and then act on it. It is inspiring.
come on...please do not repeat history. Great story - not lasting. How do other places get ahead of us? by moving forward - not recreating old ways and industry. Furniture is nice - but who has a real need for a 400lb dresser anymore? Older generation is gone, limited few that "shop" for furniture - most goes in yard sales beacuse it is so heavy and hard to redecorate with old styles. Maybe we can sell some to China and make it work.. just be cautious owners and employees... be ready for change. With no jobs for the mass - who will buy this furniture??? wonder why banks are cautious in lending...
I think in your case you might want to close your eyes... How do you know they are going to exclusively make 400 lb. dressers? And some people believe it or not still fold and put their cloths away in a dresser; shocker I know. Why not bring these jobs back from the China or India to the home land. Sure it is probably cheaper over there but that philosophy or economic advantage has longterm implications on the health of the middle class which might be the market they are trying to sell too. We have to think differently if we are going to get out of the recession and build a stronger middle class.
Thank you for this outstanding report. It brought tears to my eyes. As residents of Buffalo, NY, we are surrounded on all sides by shuttered manufacturing faclities, painful to see. I myself once worked for months developing a prototype for a local client, only to have the purchase order sent to China for production. The reason? Price. I was told afterward by a colleague that it wasn't only the cost of labor that kept Chinese pricing so intensely competitive - it was also their efficiency in scheduling and waste control that kept prices so low. I don't know.
A note to the owner of the new furniture company: my husband and I own beautiful furniture that was made in NC many years ago. An 18th century desk we have is actually signed and adorned with an engraved plaque; the craftsmanship and detail are superb. These beloved pieces will remain with us for the rest of our lives and are a joy to see and use every day. You are doing a wonderful thing, not only for your employees, but for people like us who value the quality and beauty of items meticulously produced by skilled artisans who take pride in their work. That kind of pride is visible and palpable and appreciated. I hope others will follow your example and return to the values that made this country great.
LOVED this story. You do get a bit teary at the end. Currently 75 percent of all wood furniture sold in the United States is imported. Bruce is wonderful for changing this. It's like the film It's a Wonderful Life-- the whole town is connected.
--Sherry
http://www.ohsayusa.com
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The music link above is SO applicable/close to home for this story. Ever-real truth. I'm ashamed that I lacked the connectivity, nay public voice, to ward-off Congress in the day. I applaud the program!
Wonderful story. My husband is a furniture maker/cabinet maker and I cherish everything he has made for our home. Good, solid wood pieces that my children want handed down to them because Dad made them. Makes us proud. I hope this trend continues and other business owners will follow suit and take the chance. It's worth it for the sake of the country. I was saddened though when I saw a comment online regarding the restaurant mentioned in the report, Aunt Bessie's, that they were closed due to not paying their taxes. I hope that is not true. I was looking forward to trying it sometime when I'm up that way. (Denise, South Florida)
I have been SCREAMING for things to be made in America again. You cannot beat the quality whether it's a shovel or courderoy pants things that are made either in China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India etc. etc. are NOT nearly as good. I WANT THE QUALITY I used to get. I want to pick up a darn piece of clothing in Target, Walmart or order online from LLBean to see that good quality again. I bought clothing from both LL Bean and Lands End and while satisfied with the people at those stores the QUALITY of apparel just does NOT make it. It's not the store it used to be because it's who they have make these things. My pants fit no problem but the material was THIN as a piece of paper ... NOT the way it used to be. I'd return things but I cannot because everywhere it's the same problem. Makes me FURIOUS.
Companies, GET YOUR GOODS MADE IN THIS COUNTRY AGAIN, pay your workers a decent wage with benefits and IF you have to cut CEO's profits from 20 mil a year to 10 DO SO. I WANT QUALITY goods once more before I die!
YES, YES, YES, YES ...YES, BRING BACK JOBS TO AMERICA...I CANNOT wait ... EVERYTHING bring it back...GREAT story! now DO IT!!!!!