Spring has arrived in Atlanta. I have to tell ya, is sure beats Spring in the Midwest U.S.
With the warm weather come short sleeves, outdoor meals and rain showers.
During one such shower and a stop under a fixed umbrella recently, I noticed this tag underneath:
Hecho En China
I love the pidgin-like sound of this, and it is a perfect example of the global supply chain in action. I haven't seen such a clear, simple enunciation anywhere of how manufacturing is changing.
Imagine who sourced this umbrella. They must've sourced it to a Mexican supplier, who in turn sourced it to China, who printed the label for their customer, who sent back to their customer.
Suppliers as buyers. Buyers and suppliers. It's like a supply chain version of the Kinks' "Lola."
"Its a mixed up muddled up shook up world ..."
But as interesting, unsettling or exciting as it may be to you, it IS. And small and medium sized manufacturers must plug into these emerging channels with aplomb and smarts.
Automobiles, planes, farm and heavy equipment - all are manufactured by quilts and networks of suppliers from multiple countries. I guess it should come as no surprise that an umbrella manufacturer would follow the same logic.
But still, I find it compelling.
Manufacturing isn't just changing - it's already changed. And change is what happens to us when we weren't on the boat in the first place.
