Radio Flyer to move production of wagons to China

Associated Press ^ | 3-30-04

[Oldeconomybuyer]

CHICAGO (AP) -- Radio Flyer Inc., maker of the little red wagon loved by generations of children, plans to move its manufacturing operation to China.

The 87-year-old company said it would keep its headquarters and distribution business in Chicago but decided the Chicago plant where the metal wagons are built is too expensive to maintain. With the plant closing, Radio Flyer will lay off nearly half its 90 employees.

[Uncle George]

The "OUT OF WORK" American workers will now call these wagons "CHINA CLIPPERS"

[Investment Biker]

compare the pricing at toysrus for the radio flyer $89 on sale http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/toys/B00000K1VR/qid=1080682656/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/104-4769858-3546335

now compare it to homier china brand for $29 http://www.homier.com/itemdetail.asp?i=35866&browse=no

Now I can see buying american but I am going to buy american with the $60 plus tax I have left over.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Will soon be known as the "RICE FLYER".

[Monty22]

I know a reseller, and virtually everything has gone from American to Chinese in the last couple years.

The impact is devastating to the US economy.

[TXBSAFH]

I will do whatever I can to always buy American, and I NEVER buy Chicom.

[blackdog]

Are you kidding.....In China those things are prestigious transportation. The American version was crap anyhoo. There were other quality manufactured wagons much better. Not to mention that your local farm supply store sells bushings, bearings, shafts, pneumatic tires, tube steel, welding wire, and fasteners. The last wagon I made ran me about $62 including the full 1" thick hardwood lumber. It should last fifty years or until someone drives a piece of machinery over it.

My kids use them to haul feed or supplies out to livestock in the pastures. And of course to play......

[Investment Biker]

...The impact is devastating to the US economy....

There is no doubt that the importation of cheaper china goods has cause significant disruptions to the US economy, especially in manufacturing where wages relative to US are much cheaper in a place like China. But do not assume that the impact is bad. It is simply a little "creative destruction" as a famous economist once said. Now if I spend $29 on the china wagon then I still have $60 to spend in the US. Further, the China wagon company now has $29 that they can't spend anywhere but in the US. I really can't see the losses for the US other than the manufacturing jobs. These jobs are gone forever. But new jobs that service the $60 and the foreign $29 appear. Simply "creative destruction".

[q_an_a]

I live in a community with so many young children it is like something must be in the water for kids; yet not one has a wagon made by anybody and certainly not an RF.

Except for people pulling them on PBS antiques shows, you won't find them anywhere. Oh some nursery people still use them but even they have dropped that in most places for PLASTIC. The whole production staff is 45 people. It is a buggy whip product. Try video games instead.

[humblegunner]

What's your CB handle?
---------------------------------
DUH!

Radio Flyer

Well, I would if you'd just tell me what yer durn CB handle is!

[Asclepius]

Radio Flyer to move production of wagons to China

At least the quality may improve. Certainly the price will. A double benefit for consumers.

[Old Professer]

When ViseGrip goes, the country goes.

[Flyer]

Well, I would if you'd just tell me what yer durn CB handle is!

Who's on first?

[pt17]

Another example of a company with lazy and/or incompetent management. It's easier to ship their manufacturing problems offshore than it is to fix them.

[Rebelbase]

"We simply cannot continue to buy products we do not make. That economic model will NOT work indefinitely. It just won't work. However, who is listening (or reading)? Only those of us here who already agree? What a joke."

We'll just start a war to divert attention away from our troubles.

Do'h! The war will inevitably be with China, who we are arming everytime we shop at WalMart, etc.

[Rebelbase]

"At least the quality may improve."

What's your logic?

[chuckcam]

I won't buy your product now.

[Asclepius]

What's your logic?

Chinese firms generally have better quality control than American. It's no big secret.

[AngryJawa]

Chinese firms generally have better quality control than American. It's no big secret.

What's that? A dude with a keen eye and an AK-47 at the end of the production line?

[Rebelbase]

You think the same factory that has been producing Radio Flyers since Noah's day is inferior to a Chinese production facility making the same wagon?

[Rebelbase]

"AK-47 "

Speaking of, Norinco's suck compared to Russian and Eastern European manufactured.