P&G to build $100M Gillette factory

[sarimento1]

thanks for posting.
$100MM will likely be a large, state of art facility.
interesting that the release says the new factory will be making "razors", not "razors and blades".
perhaps a global supply point for the full line of razor handles?
obviously, they could also put a blade assembly center there as well to service Asia-Pacific.
interesting also that they chose Vietnam over China or India for this new investment.

 

[51 Rolls]

Here is a picture of the 7"oclock DE razor.

It does seem like it must be a very automated factory. $100M investment for 300 employees is $300K per employee. That is a lot of equipment for each employee to oversee.

 

[51 Rolls]

It looks like my picture didn't load so here it is

 

[DE-Noob-at-39]

I can think of a few places right here in the USA that could have used a factory like that to boost it's economy.

 

[engrsaks]

I'd imagine they're just going to shift production of their part of their mainstream cart product line there, because labor will be cheaper than wherever they're being made now.

I just hope that guarantees reduced prices on fusion cartridges.

 

[Boge]

I can think of a few places right here in the USA that could have used a factory like that to boost it's economy.

Corporate taxation here in the USA is too high. Something one party has failed to grasp.

 

[TheChariot]

Sells out of Thailand for around $10 shipped.

 

[santamariasteve]

This is dismal news for America's economy, and it is sad new for America's unemployed.

Makes one to wonder what was the Viet-nam War all about? What a travesty and what a waste that adventure was.

I think I will start and maintain a one-man boycott of any product carrying the Gillette name. King C. Gillette must be moaning in his grave.

 

[cpacamper]

[removed]

 

[Toothpick]

guys settle down. It's just my new shave den.

 

[alex2363]

Quien sabe?

Isn't that Spanish

 

[alex2363]

Potentially stupid question: Can carts and DE blades be manufactured in the same factory if the same steel is used for the blade? I would venture a guess that there would be more equipment for carts because of the plastic used. However, if you simplify both down to sharpened and treated steel, would it be possible to produce both carts and DEs in the same factory?

They may need more machinery and workers, so it may have some variables that may prevent that.

 

[alex2363]

I can think of a few places right here in the USA that could have used a factory like that to boost it's economy.

It's all about profit and low production, hence the outsourcing.

 

[alex2363]

thanks for posting.
$100MM will likely be a large, state of art facility.
interesting that the release says the new factory will be making "razors", not "razors and blades".
perhaps a global supply point for the full line of razor handles?
obviously, they could also put a blade assembly center there as well to service Asia-Pacific.
interesting also that they chose Vietnam over China or India for this new investment.

Low labor and productions costs.

 

[19TPL91]

They obviously need new facilities for the new 12 blade vibrating razor with built in goo dispenser. Only £17 a cartridge!

 

[alexmc545]

Gillette manufactures blades in Vietnam now. I would imagine that they will produce DE blades for the near east market and possibly low cost carts to try to convert that massive market to their higher profit line

And despite how cheap labour is in Vietnam, they still costs approx. 89 cents per tuck locally

 

[tonich]

Well, there will be nothing made in that factory that I would even remotely buy.

+1

 

[Rufust445]

Last year I managed to snag the last bag of Noxzema twin blade disposable razors from the women's shelf at a Wal-Mart in the area, not the nearest. The handle is very basic and simple, with blades made in Japan and final assembly in Vietnam. Shave is quite good, but with a bit more irritation than I'm used to. I also found on eBay the "New Look" version of this razor, with a fancier handle and a soft rubber insert. Blades are still made in Japan, but final assembly is in China, for whatever that's worth.

I gave the "New Look" razors to someone who had tried the older version on her legs, with results she liked.
My new choice for disposables is the Bic single blade, which results in less irritation. Scary how good the shaves
are, vs. a DE.

As always, YMMV.

 

[Rufust445]

Sells out of Thailand for around $10 shipped.

The head definitely looks like a Tech design, but the handle closely resembles the one on my Lord Smart razor, which has a Merkur knockoff head.

 

[Anthorn]

Vietnam is most likely the obvious place to go to increase production and lower production costs and thereby increase profit at the same time. Vietnam sits on the fence between Socialism/Communism and Capitalism while at the same time keeping criticism of Capitalist economies particularly that of the U.S. to the minimum because it's likely to affect trade.

The problem as I see it is in origin marking: Are P & G going to come clean and say where their products are actually made and not just where their products are assembled and packed. Two examples here: My Tern Link C7 folding bicycle was made in China and I knew it was made in China when I bought it. In fact I had it at home on test for a week before I parted with my money. On the other hand the Baylis & Harding gift pack my grandchildren bought me has the Union Jack emblazoned on the box, its website makes a thing about its English heritage but the products themselves as stated on the box in very small lettering are, yes you've guessed it, made in China. http://www.baylisandharding.com

So personally I don't really give two hoots where something is made. I just want to know so I can make an informed decision on buying it or not.