Today, offshore assembly is a fact of life. By shifting production to China, India, Mexico, Eastern Europe and other locations, manufacturers can reduce operating costs, improve return on invested capital, appease shareholders, and quickly enter and exit growing or mature markets.
For many manufacturers, assembling products in Asia, in particular, appears to be the most direct path to dramatic cost cutting. But, while countries such as China offer an abundant supply of cheap labor, a pro-business environment, a productive workforce, and strong government support for manufacturing, that does not mean doing business there will automatically improve your bottom line.