Compare and contrast offshore forging companies to domestic forging – in terms of quality standards, cost, technical assistance, flexibility of deliveries and service quality, barriers in production, transport, and impact of foreign subsidiaries and policies.
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Established quality standards:
Offshore ForgingOffshore forging companies don’t always meet domestic product quality standards. Disparities in quality erase price advantages and add costs for rework, delayed production and postponed deliveries. Domestic ForgingBecause they are following domestic quality product standards, domestic forging companies will always meet the quality needs of North American customers. |
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Administrative and sales costs:
Offshore ForgingThe cost of offshore metal components accumulates in the purchasing process – communication charges, costs due to time zone/ time delay issues, transcontinental airfares, and overseas freight charges. Domestic ForgingThe cost of domestic forgings does not include the added expenses and delays of overseas shipping. |
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Technical assistance, flexibility of deliveries, and quality of service:
Offshore ForgingOffshore custom forging suppliers offer these only to their “preferred” purchaser. Domestic ForgingNorth American forgers commonly provide pre-production engineering assistance and after-sale services on a regular basis, and can offer transport/delivery services timed to meet production requirements. |
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Cultural, trade or language barriers:
Offshore ForgingBusiness with offshore forging companies is impeded by language differences, variable currency values, tariffs, and unfamiliar tool/material specs that extend lead times, delay production and affect profitability. Domestic ForgingNorth American metal forge providers are unimpeded by the barriers inherent to offshore forging, and common business misunderstandings and problems are easy to resolve. |
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Advantages of North American transport, distribution network:
Offshore ForgingOffshore forging is subject to the costs of worldwide shipping and delays based on foreign politics and affairs, and inherently takes longer to reach its final destination. Domestic ForgingThe North American transportation networks offer advantages in delivery and shipment that pay off in production costs and product price. North American transport and distribution routes mean timely deliveries – enabling forgers to ship reliably to Just-In-Time production and delivery schedules. |
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Impact of foreign subsidies and industrial policies:
Offshore ForgingSubsidies give offshore forging companies some advantages, but they are only as competitive as their government’s permit. Their politics affect their competitive abilities and policies. Domestic ForgingDomestic forging companies are, understandably, not affected by foreign subsidiaries or politics and free of their disadvantages. |