America’s economic engine is compromised. Forces at work over the last 30 years have sapped our nation’s vitality. How did it happen?

Next up was a review of our U.S. manufacturing and our off-shore sources. We were getting our electronic scales and heavy duty mechanical scales from two producers in Taiwan.

Landed costs for these Asian products enabled us to sell at competitive prices and the quality was generally acceptable. Life was good.

Within the year, however, a major player in the home and medical scale businesses decided to enter our markets. Their sources were, for the most part, China-based.

Although the quality of these new, competitive products was not great, the company’s marketing push was enough to cause our customers to look with a more critical eye at our products. We were able to hold on to most of our business, however, one major customer threw out our electronic line in favor of lower prices and the promise of better quality.

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