![]() |
![]() |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![]() Kayak Manufacturing in China! ![]() Look Carefully, or else your next kayak could be... "Made in China"! Long before Canada was a nation, the Inuit and Native Peoples' had perfected the crafts we know today as canoes and kayaks. Voyageurs journeyed into the wilderness establishing the Fur Trade, opening up settlements in what has become Canada. Perhaps it's our rich paddling heritage and the vast amount of water within our boundaries that has made canoes & kayaks a part of what "Makes Us Canadian". Recent developments in the kayak industry may be leading to the erosion of what many consider part of our Canadian Legacy. An increasing number of kayak companies are making the decision to move their production to China. Access to an endless labour force, low wages, questionable human rights and substandard working conditions has kayak executives licking their chops with an alternative way to cut costs and maximize profits. What types of kayaks are being made overseas? Contrary to the "Made in China is cheap" stigma, it may surprise you to learn it's the more expensive fibreglass, Kevlar and carbon boats that are being farmed out. Why, its simple, composite kayaks are much more labors intensive to produce than other kayak types, so savings are maximized. Vacuumed formed Thermoform kayaks and lower cost roto-mold kayaks require less man-hours to produce as they are largely machine made, therefore manufacturing is likely to remain here, for now. Ironically two former Canadian companies who had been already gobbled up by American giants, are now leading the exodus of large North American kayak companies to Asia: Current Designs Kayaks: Epic Kayaks: Necky Kayaks: Point 65n Kayaks: Wilderness Systems: Some manufacturers go to great lengths to HIDE the FACT that their kayaks are now made in Asia! Sadly retail shops also ask their staff to "peel off the Made in China Labels". Note: 2- Thumbs Up to Necky Kayaks as they fibreglass over top of their labels so they cannot be easily removed! The Purpose of Our China Article: Our Article was done in response to the urgings of our customers regarding the Place of Manufacture as consumers have a right to know where products are made - before they purchase. Manufacturers and Retailers also have a Moral & Ethical Obligation to correctly display the Country of Origin on their products. PS: To help educate consumers we display a "Country of Manufacturing Origin Flag" beside Every Boat On Our Website: www.frontenac-outfitters.com One Consumers Response: (we've got dozens more) "I've led two corporations and also retired as a senior military officer defending your right to speak freely. Notwithstanding your remarks, consumers have a right to know what they're buying and its origin of manufacture. That's not being xenophobic; it's called being informed. When a manufacturer is attempting to conceal that information, it's called a lapse in ethical conduct. It also raises the question of what else are they hiding in the product you are about to purchase? Personally, I'd prefer to know the risks before I put my money on the counter & I thank Frontenac Outfitters for their candor"! Marty
|
|
|
|