Kuiu "Made in China"

[dotman]

Well looks like Kuiu is taking their mfg to China, really can we not get anyone to stay in NA. Yes it wasn't mfg in the US but could live with Canada.

[ElkNut1]

I'm sure it's the cost that is the bottom line! I always buy in states when possible, we'll see what their quality looks like now?

ElkNut1

[pointysticks]

that blows..

but walk into any Walmart. we have an insatiable appetite for low priced goods.
(well, maybe not members here..with all this talk of kifaru ).

i bet the quality remains unchanged for the most part..will Kuiu maintain pricing? sorry, i am not a business major.

[dotman]

Oh yeah prices will not lower since they say costs are the same.

[drauls21@tds.net]

The decision to have product manufactured in China was not a cost saving measure. Jason made the move in order to be able to shorten lead times for manufacturing his ever growing product line. Log onto Kuiu's blog to read Jason's explanation.

[Swede]

It sure makes a difference to me where things are made. I will look for the made in USA label. The lead time explanation does not make sense. American companies can meet their needs. Kuiu people think they will pocket more money by going to China. Maybe they will, but if given an alternative, I will buy a comperable product made in USA.

[foxvalley]

That's funny, they can't hire more U.S. workers to shorten lead time? Smells fishy to me.

[drauls21@tds.net]

you didn't read the blog very carefully, the long lead times were from not being able to get the fabric. with the new agreement jason has worked out with toray, he gets priority for production of fabric, dyeing, cutting and manufacture of product, sometimes business decisions are unpopular with many people, but in order to grow a business tough decisions are sometimes necessary. None of Kuiu's products are Made in U.S.A., but his business HAS created jobs in the U.S. and from what I read nobody lost jobs in Vancouver and there is no impact as far as additional jobs because Kuiu was unable to procure product for the actual manufacture of product, that is where the long lead times were coming from, not from being understaffed with workers.

[foxvalley]

So the move is being made solely on availability of raw material? The cost per unit to manufacture isn't going down,and has no affect on the desision whatsoever?

[pointysticks]

how do you pronounce KUIU anyways?

koo ee oo ?

[dotman]

Straight from Webster's : Main Entry: Ku·iu Island Pronunciation: \ˈkü-(ˌ)yü\Function: geographical name island SE Alaska in central Alexander Archipelago

[WapitiTalk1]

Straight from Webster's : Main Entry: Ku·iu Island Pronunciation: \ˈkü-(ˌ)yü\Function: geographical name island SE Alaska in central Alexander Archipelago

So it's Koo Yoo? I've been mispronouncing it

[T/H]

so where were the goods (material) coming from that the company couldn't keep up with demand? ie long lead times

sidenote: please don't say China

[drauls21@tds.net]

http://blog.kuiu.com/2012/10/17/vertica ... follow-up/

[foxvalley]

http://blog.kuiu.com/2012/10/17/vertical-supply-chain-post-follow-up/

Thanks for the explanation, it is clear this was not a profit driven move,sorry.
I have been a huge sitka fan,and most of my lineup is in mountain mimicry,which I really love that camo pattern,not to mention the clothing itself.Thanks!

[wideangle]

I have an NRA knife - it is stamped Made in China. Go figure.

[Swede]

After reading Jason's explanation I can appreciete his committment to product quality. I still have a difficult time seeing where there are no companies in the U.S. that could make the product to standard on time. If I remember right, ABC News found a company that could make the uniforms for the U.S. Olympic team, when there was only a two week lead time. It is difficult to find U.S. made camo products. I think the camo I own and the camo Cabelas carries is all imported. I would like to believe "Made In U.S>A." would be a good sales point. I know I look for that on the label and will give it preference when it is available.

[drauls21@tds.net]

Its not all just about the sewing, it's the entire supply chain. The material is developed and made by Toray in Japan. Having Toray manage the supply chain meant using a Toray owned cut and sew factory. Difficult decision for sure, but it meant Jason was able to get preferential access to the fabric. I too look to support made in USA, but in a global economy that is really tough to do. As for KUIU, Jason started a company that HAS created jobs here in the USA. The companies that we as Americans and consumers should take a hard stance on are the ones who ship jobs over seas as a profit move only. When billions of dollars in profit aren't enough for some of these execs and they try to squeeze every last dollar by moving jobs to areas of cheap labor then we need to stand up and do something. Okay enough of the soap box, have a good one everyone.

[Swede]

Drauls, Thanks: I know I can be hard headed, but you have convinced me. I was not blaming anyone. As I said above, the camo I own is also imported. I just wish we had a good "made in America" alternative. I would just hope American manufacturers are as loyal to Americans and they want us to be to them.