Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Ophtahlmic Goods,US Balance of Trade

  1. #1
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Blue Jumper Ophtahlmic Goods,US Balance of Trade

    Very interesting figures:

    U.S. Balance of Trade in
    (NAICS 339115) Ophthalmic Goods
    With All Countries
    As of APRIL 2005
    (In Thousands U.S. dollars)






    That should show you were most of the stuff comes from.

  2. #2
    RETIRED JRS's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Vancouver, WA
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    862
    That would depend on what you want to portray Chris.

    I think it’s obvious that most frames are manufactured outside the US. Since each SKU/FPC counts as a single item, the numbers are massive. Same for equipment vendors.

    A good portion of semi-finished lens blanks are made outside the US as well, but made into finished products within the US.

    So what’s your point?
    J. R. Smith


  3. #3
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Blue Jumper What's the point.................

    Quote Originally Posted by JRS View Post
    So what’s your point?
    The point seems to be and or show where the goods come from. If you don't think it to be of any interest.........that's where we differ.

  4. #4
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Central Point
    Occupation
    Optical Laboratory Technician
    Posts
    1,162

    Hmmmmmm.....

    Thanks Chris, I love stuff like that!
    :drop: Ever wonder what business would be like if suddenly we could recieve nothing from China?? Come on you Economic PHD's out there what do you think it'd be like?

  5. #5
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Down in a hole!
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    13,078

    No products from China

    SCARY!!!! Very scary!

  6. #6
    OptiBoard Professional
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    USA
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    233
    FVCCHRIS: <<Ever wonder what business would be like if suddenly we could recieve nothing from China?? Come on you Economic PHD's out there what do you think it'd be like?>>

    Slightly higher inflation, significantly increased imports from other developing countries and some increased US produced products. The key fact is that most of the imports from China no longer have a meaningful production base in the US to compensate for China imports disappearing. Most products would take considerable time and investment to rebuild capacity and other countries would still have a cost advantage.

    The US economy has moved upstream to higher value products and services. Not good for many US workers of course but good for limiting inflation.

    It is also notable that the US government's deficit is now financed by oil money and the cash flow from Asian exports. Were it not for China money buying US treasury bonds, our interest rates would be much higher with a negative impact on economic growth here. Not a good situation but it is where we are today.

    Many uncertainties in the future re China and US trade imbalances. Will China let the RMB float in a meaningful way? Will the US impose a punitive tariff? Will costs in China rise to the degree that other East and South Asian countries begin to take away business from China?

    It may well get worse. At some point China may decide to send our money used to buy imports from China someplace else rather than back to us via buying our bonds.

    Mike Schaus

  7. #7
    Optical Chemical Manufacturer
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    at Home
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    342

    Reality of a changing world

    The numbers reflect the reality of a changing world. We as a country are a consumer of products and no longer a manufacturer of products.

    We have developed a family of new innovative coating products which are in demand by lens manufacturers in Asia. We as a country can compete as long as we are innovative and different.

  8. #8
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Back in NYC.....Shenzhen, China and Hong Kong
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    1,155
    Quote Originally Posted by FVCCHRIS View Post
    Ever wonder what business would be like if suddenly we could recieve nothing from China??
    If the US consumer lost access to these goods, in the short term the cost of living would dramatically increase. Last year, after much pressure as well as its desire to slow down its economic boom, China discontinued its locked RMB value to the USD. It now trades in a narrow band against a pool of currencies. In that time the RMB strengthened against the USD by 3%.

    The US government is pushing China to let the RMB float on the market. If this actually occured, the RMB's value would continue to strengthen making Chinese made products less affordable. The thinking is that this would increase the US domestic manufacturing sector. In fact this would not be the case. Manufacturers would be forced to move to other countries where they could lower their operation costs. The US consumer and the people of China would be the ones injured by a floating RMB. US goods are considered luxury items in China and much sought after. As income levels continue to increase in China, the Chinese people will continue to purchase more and more overseas products.

  9. #9
    Allen Weatherby
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Florida
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    1,286

    China and USA or Western Goods

    Good point DocInChina:

    ICE-TECH is already in meaningful talks to utilize some of our technology for high end prescription lenses in Asia including. The hunger for Western brands in China is very big.

    I think today you have major frame companies owning retail outlets in China selling fashion designer named frames that they license for big money in the larger cities in China. They actually have these high dollar frames made in the smaller towns in China.

    Once the "BRAND" is on them the thirst for the product changes in China.

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Central Point
    Occupation
    Optical Laboratory Technician
    Posts
    1,162

    What if....

    Those are some good explanations. Not being an economics wiz I have to ask: Since so much seems to come from China in our line of business what's to prevent a Chineese entrepreneur or even a chineese government company from coming here and marketing their products directly to the U.S. consumer Lenscrafter's style??

  11. #11
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Back in NYC.....Shenzhen, China and Hong Kong
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    1,155
    Quote Originally Posted by FVCCHRIS View Post
    Those are some good explanations. Not being an economics wiz I have to ask: Since so much seems to come from China in our line of business what's to prevent a Chineese entrepreneur or even a chineese government company from coming here and marketing their products directly to the U.S. consumer Lenscrafter's style??
    What should anything prevent a Chinese entrepreneur or company from doing that? Nothing. (Most companies are not government owned any longer) This is not the Chinese way though of doing business. If a Chinese company has the kind of capital to come into the US market they would much prefer to buy a company in the US or elsewhere that already has sales and distribution. They have watched foreign companies come to China and buy local chains and local manufacturers for years.

    Quote Originally Posted by AWTECH
    The hunger for Western brands in China is very big.
    Partially true. If the quality is not excellent they do not care if the brand is on it. Chinese comsumers examine products carefully before they purchase. Their memories of extreme poverty are not more than 10-15 years ago. When they spend their money they want to have value for the luxury they are buying.

    Quote Originally Posted by AWTECH
    I think today you have major frame companies owning retail outlets in China selling fashion designer named frames that they license for big money in the larger cities in China. They actually have these high dollar frames made in the smaller towns in China.

    Once the "BRAND" is on them the thirst for the product changes in China.
    The overseas famous brands that do manufacturer some of their product in China MUST export the product back to their country to "finish" the goods. They cannot sell the goods that they are making in China, directly in China. The tax situation would be much different for them. Every raw material they imported into their factories in China would be taxed as a domestic consumeable item. Every finished product they sold within China would also have VAT added onto the item they were selling to optical chains/distributors. Not feasable.

  12. #12
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Redhot Jumper Not only China...................

    This thread has evolved into an interesting discussion..................but there is not only China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

    There is also Malasia, Thailand and Singapore that seems to become an interesting factor.................while India is still nowhere on the list.

    Are they only a factor because some of the large corporations produces their lenses in that part of the world or could it be something else?

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. rinselberg POLL 04: Using the balance scales icon
    By rinselberg in forum Just Conversation
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-28-2013, 12:19 PM
  2. Optical equipment and goods 4 sale
    By ncoptician in forum Optical Marketplace
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-10-2002, 12:45 PM
  3. Cost of Consumer Goods Around The Globe
    By Joann Raytar in forum Just Conversation
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-17-2002, 02:56 PM
  4. Cost of goods
    By LENNY in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-11-2002, 12:18 AM
  5. Cost of Goods in 2000
    By Michael in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-12-2001, 12:14 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •