I can't speek to starting a machine shop. I do think I can speek to business and jobs leaving the US as I do work for a Big Bone manufacturer and my company does send jobs out of the US. We do businesses with small companies in the US also. A significant amount of the work the company did with it's own employees now goes to small businesses. That work goes outside because they can do it better and at less cost. Big companies get slow and terribly inefficient. Benifits packages that were not costly 30 years ago, now are costly and are like government entitlements. They can't fire people easily and without strong cause. The employee just needs to be productive enough to stay out of serious trouble.
A small business that produces a quality product at a good value with great customer focus has the potential for success. It also takes the understanding that you are in business to make money, what things cost, and what has value. It needs to understand it has to constantly be willing to change. Look at how much of our economy revolves around computers vs. 50 years ago, how many blacksmiths we need today vs 130 years ago.
Basically my point is you can't manufacture horseshoes and expect to stay in business. But in my experience, there is a need for small companies that do prototypes and small volume high tech materials.
Phil, Still too many interests, too many projects, and not enough time!!!!!!!!
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