Thread: Why we should buy Australian

I don't buy the argument that Australia is too expensive to compete.
I can't see any real reason why Australia can't compete in manufacturing. It just requires a real dedication to constant improvement and making the best quality products which meet actual needs and a drive for continuous improvement.
For example, looking at the Drifta website, the guy Luke started with a love of camping and made some stuff for himself, others got interested, he has kept refining and expanding and now employs 60 people, owns his premises, and is selling everything he can make. His prices are good too.
Why would I buy a camper imported from China when the local products meet the needs?
Another example is Aussieswag in Brisbane. We have one of their earlier campers and, 13 years later, it still does all we wanted, with a few enhancements added over the years.
Wayne from Nuggtetstuff on here is another example of someone seeing a need and making the products which can compete.
I know these are only small examples, but there are many more - Redarc, Jayco etc.
Obviously it's tough competing against cheaper imports, but it can be done. It isn't necessary to send the work overseas and just import. It can be done here.
One thing that is required is an absolute determination to make it work here, and not just chase quick profits by offshoring and importing. Look at South Korea as an example of a country which was devastated by war, started with virtually nothing and by sheer grit and hard work has built up a highly successful economy. Obviously it would have been easier to have just imported, but they stuck to their guns and have been successful. Another example is Thailand, which has become the 'Detroit of Asia' by targeting the market niches it wanted to dominate while taking an unashamedly hard-nosed attitude and preventing its home market from being swamped with cheap imports.
There was a time when Australia's leaders were determined to build up the country and they made decisions which supported that happening, but nowdays we seem to be far too short-sighted. We are quite capable of building competitive railway carriages here, but it requires a real commitment to do it. We could have a vehicle-building industry if it was locally-controlled and built the vehicles people want to buy.
There are other countries which have higher costs than we do, but are very successful e.g. Germany, the UK and Switzerland. It can be done.


Drifta Camping & 4WD
Aussie Swag | Premium Off Road Camper Trailers | Brisbane
nugget stuff home
https://www.redarc.com.au/
http://www.jayco.com.au/

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Asbestos found in Chinese-made equipment for SA's Port Pirie smelter redevelopment - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Just had the same thing in the new children's hospital here in Perth. Asbestos in the roof panels.

Originally Posted by loneranger

Just had the same thing in the new children's hospital here in Perth. Asbestos in the roof panels.

Yep.

Post 99 of this thread.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Yep.

Post 99 of this thread.

Couldn't be bothered reading the whole thread on my phone. 😉

..

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I don't buy the argument that Australia is too expensive to compete.
I can't see any real reason why Australia can't compete in manufacturing. It just requires a real dedication to constant improvement and making the best quality products which meet actual needs and a drive for continuous improvement.
For example, looking at the Drifta website, the guy Luke started with a love of camping and made some stuff for himself, others got interested, he has kept refining and expanding and now employs 60 people, owns his premises, and is selling everything he can make. His prices are good too.
Why would I buy a camper imported from China when the local products meet the needs?
Another example is Aussieswag in Brisbane. We have one of their earlier campers and, 13 years later, it still does all we wanted, with a few enhancements added over the years.
Wayne from Nuggtetstuff on here is another example of someone seeing a need and making the products which can compete.
I know these are only small examples, but there are many more - Redarc, Jayco etc.
Obviously it's tough competing against cheaper imports, but it can be done. It isn't necessary to send the work overseas and just import. It can be done here.
One thing that is required is an absolute determination to make it work here, and not just chase quick profits by offshoring and importing. Look at South Korea as an example of a country which was devastated by war, started with virtually nothing and by sheer grit and hard work has built up a highly successful economy. Obviously it would have been easier to have just imported, but they stuck to their guns and have been successful. Another example is Thailand, which has become the 'Detroit of Asia' by targeting the market niches it wanted to dominate while taking an unashamedly hard-nosed attitude and preventing its home market from being swamped with cheap imports.
There was a time when Australia's leaders were determined to build up the country and they made decisions which supported that happening, but nowdays we seem to be far too short-sighted. We are quite capable of building competitive railway carriages here, but it requires a real commitment to do it. We could have a vehicle-building industry if it was locally-controlled and built the vehicles people want to buy.
There are other countries which have higher costs than we do, but are very successful e.g. Germany, the UK and Switzerland. It can be done.


Drifta Camping & 4WD
Aussie Swag | Premium Off Road Camper Trailers | Brisbane
nugget stuff home
https://www.redarc.com.au/
Jayco Australia | That's Freedom

You are looking at things through rose coloured glasses mate.
Things are NOT that simple anywhere.
Try making clothes in Aussie,...try competing with Rivers?!! have a look at ANY stuff you buy,....most of it will be made in China,...why is that? There are squillons of products that we all use, every day, that are ALL made overseas. Why is that?...If it's so easy why doesn't someone make em here?
It is NOT easy, & for reasons that I've mentioned many times before,...it will not change.
Frantic & others can put all the "numbers" up they like,....won't make any difference,....if it was true,....why ain't it happening,.....I'll tell you again,....because it ain't that easy....If the majority of Aussies see a good product at a cheaper price, they'll buy it, & if Aussie "manufacturers"can make a product O/S at a cheaper price, that will actually sell the product, that is what they will do.
Of course there are many on here that think they could fix the problem,....they produce "numbers" (and that's all they are,...numbers!)they know better than ALL the Polies, & some very smart business minds, ...yeah right!
I now stand by to be flamed, by those who can,.....in their dreams,....fix everything!!....BUT are these people actually trying to run a manufacturing business themselves, or just telling others how it could work, by telling them the "numbers"?
Pickles.

Bugger. My blow torch is out of gas.

I think DiscoMick is correct. He's not talking about competing directly with cheap imports. He's talking about Aussie designers/manufacturers making high quality products ...and comparing our situation with other countries in the world where wages are high and they have built their reputations on producing quality products. I agree that's Australia's future, whether in designing, manufacturing, food, science, environment, whatever. And we would be kicking more goals internationally if we had a more visionary and ambitious society, government and attitude across the board.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

..... And we would be kicking more goals internationally if we had a more visionary and ambitious society, government and attitude across the board.

visionary government!



I think that's the definitive expression of what a 'contradiction of terms' means!