More Manufacturing Jobs Being Imported From China -- I Blame Bush!

A Washington-based brake drum manufacturer is relocating some of its machining work from China to Rockford, echoing a trend that’s becoming more common in North American factories.

The KIC Group is contracting with a new local company, Rockford Automated Machining, to make raw brake drum casings once manufactured in China. Rockford Automated Machining, created by the owners of FAC Consolidated Industries, will employ about 40 people at its 840 Airport Drive location.

John Schneider, vice president of sales for KIC, said multiple factors have eroded the Asian competitive advantage — increased ocean freight charges, the rising price of raw iron ore and the strengthening of the Chinese currency against the U.S. dollar.

DKK
Business Rockford