Brian Wilson on fri 18 dec 98
I would like to contribute to the discussion about overseas production
and help clear up some misconceptions about the work that AFTOSA does to help
craftspeople.
Many skilled craftspeople are finding that they are getting very large
orders that cannot be filled without some kind of assistance. We offer a
service to anyone who needs large production of their designs.
We work with factories in Taiwan and China that produce bisqueware or
finished ware. In addition, we have factories for wood and glass.
We produce products for customers who want their designs manufactured for
them. Craftspeople who do manufacture their products overseas should be able
to sell their work via gift shows and reps as long as they represent the work
for what it is "made in China". I would never suggest that this kind of ware
be sold at a craft show.
All work that is imported has markings "made in China" or "made in
Taiwan" and this is a requirement that must be met.
All designs are done at customers request and all stages of development
are done with customer approvals.
I will not accept business from anyone who requests that I hide the
country of origin so that ware can be presented as made in the U.S.
I have been a craftsperson most of my life and have always had a
reputation for honesty and high ethical standards. As my business grows and
changes I have no plans to lower those standards for any reason.
Brian Wilson
AFTOSA
Jonathan Kaplan on sat 19 dec 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> snip....... I would like to contribute to the discussion about
>overseas production
>and help clear up some misconceptions about the work that AFTOSA does to help
>craftspeople.
> Many skilled craftspeople are finding that they are getting very large
>orders that cannot be filled without some kind of assistance. We offer a
>service to anyone who needs large production of their designs.
> snip...... We work with factories in Taiwan and China that produce
>bisqueware or
>finished ware. In addition, we have factories for wood and glass.
> snip....We produce products for customers who want their designs
>manufactured for
>them. Craftspeople who do manufacture their products overseas should be able
>to sell their work via gift shows and reps as long as they represent the work
>for what it is "made in China". I would never suggest that this kind of ware
>be sold at a craft show.
> Brian Wilson
>
>AFTOSA
While in no way do I wish to use this as a forum to promote my
manufacturing business here in the USA, my only thought is that IMHO, it is
important to keep business here domestically.
While I do respect Aftosa's assistance in helping craftspeople grow their
business by learning to deal with manufacture of work by others, there are
any number of ceramic manufacturing businesses here in the USA, including
mine, that can manufacture ceramic work to exceptionally high standards,
and in quantities that can work, and by the way, at very reasonable prices.
I understand going off-shore to manufacture. The labor rate there cannot be
approached by those of us who manufacture here. As for my business and our
guidelines, we have no minimums, we offer a highly skilled design and
manufacturing service for artists, potters, and the giftware industry, and
much of our production that is made for artists and pottersis marketed at
craft shows as well as via gift shows and sales reps.
I think its very important for ANYONE thinking about off shore
manufacturing to research this thoroughly in depth.
I'd opt for keeping business in this country anytime for both social,
political, even perhaps ethical reasons. But thats just my opinion, as I
have a vested interest.
Jonathan
Jonathan Kaplan, president
Ceramic Design Group LTd/Production Services
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970) 879-9139 voice and fax
http://www.sni.net/ceramicdesign
james wheeler watson on sun 20 dec 98
Thank you jonathan, for a clear simple statement.My interest in ceramics in
China,Britain, New Zealand etc. is primarily aesthetic,not commercial.So be
less anxious,I won't give you any competition .I find that
however,perplexing.I thought competition was at the heart of american
business philosophy.Kind regards. jameswatson@bigpond.com
--------
> From: Jonathan Kaplan
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: Re: AFTOSA - Made in China
> Date: Sunday, 20 December 1998 6:39
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > snip....... I would like to contribute to the discussion about
> >overseas production
> >and help clear up some misconceptions about the work that AFTOSA does
to help
> >craftspeople.
> > Many skilled craftspeople are finding that they are getting very
large
> >orders that cannot be filled without some kind of assistance. We offer
a
> >service to anyone who needs large production of their designs.
> > snip...... We work with factories in Taiwan and China that produce
> >bisqueware or
> >finished ware. In addition, we have factories for wood and glass.
> > snip....We produce products for customers who want their designs
> >manufactured for
> >them. Craftspeople who do manufacture their products overseas should be
able
> >to sell their work via gift shows and reps as long as they represent the
work
> >for what it is "made in China". I would never suggest that this kind of
ware
> >be sold at a craft show.
> > Brian Wilson
> >
> >AFTOSA
>
>
> While in no way do I wish to use this as a forum to promote my
> manufacturing business here in the USA, my only thought is that IMHO, it
is
> important to keep business here domestically.
>
> While I do respect Aftosa's assistance in helping craftspeople grow their
> business by learning to deal with manufacture of work by others, there
are
> any number of ceramic manufacturing businesses here in the USA, including
> mine, that can manufacture ceramic work to exceptionally high standards,
> and in quantities that can work, and by the way, at very reasonable
prices.
>
>
> I understand going off-shore to manufacture. The labor rate there cannot
be
> approached by those of us who manufacture here. As for my business and
our
> guidelines, we have no minimums, we offer a highly skilled design and
> manufacturing service for artists, potters, and the giftware industry,
and
> much of our production that is made for artists and pottersis marketed at
> craft shows as well as via gift shows and sales reps.
>
> I think its very important for ANYONE thinking about off shore
> manufacturing to research this thoroughly in depth.
>
> I'd opt for keeping business in this country anytime for both social,
> political, even perhaps ethical reasons. But thats just my opinion, as I
> have a vested interest.
>
> Jonathan
>
>
> Jonathan Kaplan, president
> Ceramic Design Group LTd/Production Services
> PO Box 775112
> Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
> (970) 879-9139 voice and fax
> http://www.sni.net/ceramicdesign
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