There’s been a lot of talk lately about companies moving to onshoring, or shifting their manufacturing away from Asia and back to the United States. Bicycle maker Kent International is one company that successfully made the transition. A fourth generation, family-owned business from Parsippany, N.J. that’s been in business for over a century, Kent markets its bicycles and accessories through large retailers, including Toys “R” Us, Walmart and Amazon. We spoke with CEO Arnold Kamler, pictured above with his son, Scott, president of the firm, about his company’s onshoring experience.
CEOB: How much did the cost differential change from China to the U.S. that made the decision profitable?
AK: When we looked at the possibility of U.S. assembly and manufacturing four years ago, we calculated that our cost to produce a bicycle in the U.S. was about 25% higher. Our calculations now indicate that this differential is about 10% and by 2017, we should be able to produce a bicycle here cheaper than in China.
CEOB: How is that affecting your profit margins?
AK: We are a private company and have no pressure from shareholders. However, this will eat into our corporate profits for the next few years by as much as 20%. The good news is that our business is still growing and we are doing very well.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
