In the early 1990s, China was seen as simply a low cost place to make labor-intensive products. But now China is advancing quickly up the value chain, adding state-of-the-art production capacity in cars, specialty steel, petrochemicals, and microchips. Indeed, there are technically advanced manufacturing processes for which China is deemed superior to the U.S.

With China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, the game has intensified. The country with the world’s largest population is set to become an even more powerful force in global production.

Pricing Asymmetry

Today's world has three business models:

• U.S. businesses develop products with 60-70 percent gross profit margins, and target revenue growth of $100 million to $1 billion. U.S. investment is simply not available for products with smaller margins and markets. Because of this, products developed in the U.S. are typically technology related, more complex, and are targeted for large markets that can justify high investment and subsequent high overheads.
• Developing countries (other than China) are growing rapidly through products that have intermediate complexity with smaller revenue growth and medium (40-50 percent) gross-profit margins. In India, Brazil and other developing countries, there are exciting technology companies growing to $5-10 million within three to five years with medium complexity products, quickly developed. This level of success attracts high levels of local investment.
• China is unique in that it is largely government controlled, with target gross-profit margins of only 5-10 percent (margins that are considered too small anywhere else). So, even with comparable manufacturing costs, Chinese products are usually offered at lower prices. As a result, China has become the undisputed world leader in low-price manufacturing of high-volume products.

In the U.S, gross-profit margins of about 60% typically result in a target net pre-tax profit of 15-20%. In many other countries, a gross-profit of 40% results in net profit of 5-10% which is considered acceptable. In China, the net-profit is often zero. This astounds most outside observers – how can a profit-making enterprise survive (capital and cash-flow) with no profit?

The answer: In China, short- and medium-term operating deficits are acceptable since capital is manipulated and controlled by the government. Chinese planners recognize the demand for short-term profit as the Achilles-heel of Capitalism. Their own primary objectives are rapid local employment and long-term global market share.

Here’s another key point: China mandates disclosure of all intellectual property, demonstrating yet again the long-term perspectives. The Chinese see this as a priority which will help them attain long-term technology and market leadership goals. By contrast, foreign outsourcers are giving away knowledge and intellectual property for short-term financial gain. The results are evident in China's ongoing economic transformation which is having a profound impact not only on China, but on the world.

For America, the remedies require significant attitude shifts. Our short-term financial mind-set must change. Business needs to realize that continual quarter-to-quarter increases in revenue and profits cannot be sustained with work that is done elsewhere in the world.

Our society must recognize that manufacturing and job creation are not just political or business manipulations, but the building blocks of society. It's important to keep investing in jobs, to upgrade factories, to be competitive in global markets. Entrepreneurship and talent must be encouraged and stimulated to thrive in the manufacturing sector.

Whoever makes things better, cheaper, faster – wins! America must continue to be the leader, or slide backwards into mediocrity.