I believe that American manufacturing can successfully compete with foreign-based factories.

From the time in the 1980s that I first visited factories in Pusan, Taipei and Kowloon I was impressed with the fact that old, rundown and crowded buildings could be made to turn out quality products. Their workforce was hard working and capable, and the owners and managers totally dedicated. In one factory I noticed a bedroll under the owner’s desk.

If we are to bring factory work back to the United States we must emulate that early Asian model. Many cities have the right mix of building-stock, labor, transportation, manufacturing know-how and government support to enable motivated business executives and managers to take back manufacturing business from beyond our borders.

Our industrial corridors include many older, rent-depressed buildings that are easily accessible from blue-collar neighborhoods. In addition, transportation service providers provide efficient, low cost means of bringing in raw materials and shipping out finished goods.

We are also home to a population of knowledgeable manufacturing executives and managers with experience encompassing ISO 9000 quality standards and world-class, JIT and lean manufacturing techniques across a wide range of industries. In addition, there are any number of university-based teaching and consulting programs that are focused on the problems facing local area businesses.

Finally, Federal, state and local governments have established an array of programs intended to assist and support the development of our industrial base.

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