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Manufacturing in China

by Catherine Woods - Monday, 11th February 2008 -

Manufacturing in China

Manufacturing costs in China may be lower than in Europe, but Premium Appliance Brands co-founder Guy Weaver warns rising shipping costs mean the margins are sometimes much tighter.

His £20.6m-turnover company designs, develops and markets appliances, but they are made in the best manufacturing centre for each particular product.

“A lot of it’s made in the Far East, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, France and Turkey,” Weaver says.

Weaver says the entrepreneurial spirit is growing in China. “For a country that was communist, China has embraced capitalism with a missionary zeal,” he says. “They have an incredible attitude. If you want to get something done, you find the right partner and it happens.”

However, on the down side, Weaver says the cost of shipping goods from China is increasing in line with oil prices. “If you’re shipping low-margin goods, it can get
very expensive.”

Premium Appliance Brands is now buying more products in Eastern Europe and Turkey where labour costs are still low.

Picture source

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