While each of the four companies highlighted in the series has a slightly different situation, some factors are common in several of the companies. One of these is access to a more knowledgeable labor pool –proof perhaps, that knowledge and specialization are key to success in the job market. While this is most obvious in the pipe making industry, the reasons for not outsourcing the making of tractors was the creativity induced by having a labor source familiar with tractor equipment, and the orthopedic company is all situated in a knowledgeable labor pool. Another reason to stay in the country is easy access to transportation to customers within the United States. However, protections also seam to come from specific situations which are difficult to replicate. Perhaps specialty products or boutique jobs are easy to keep in the country, but the broader picture will be much more negative. Even harder to duplicate is the circumstances found in the orthopedic industry, where complicated government regulations and fear of malpractice has become the virtual equivalent of a tariff in that it successfully creates an atmosphere which favors home grown industry, and in this sense is rather protectionist. One thing that I found interesting in reading the series was the author’s focus on quintessentially American places in the mid west in stead of, per say, New Jersey. I wonder if part of this is simply because these towns are so representative of America that the fact that industry still thrives in them is a point of comfort, or because mid –westerners simply have a better work ethic than those in the east. After all, several companies gave their reasons for staying in the US as being the excellent quality of the workers.
