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Galvanized Products from China-Vietnam

I was wondering if you might offer an opinion on HDG and powder coated product from China-Vietnam. We are manufactures of pool fencing here in New Zealand where we make our own panels and get them HDG here in NZ. Over the past few years we have lost much business to companies that are bringing in panels. Obviously New Zealand (at least where we are in Bay of Plenty) is coastal and suffers extreme atmospheric conditions. Much of the product I see our competitors install is now looking very poor. Major chalkiness on the powder coated panels as well as some rusting. If you have time I would be interested on your thoughts

Regards
Jeff

Jeff Burns
manufacturing - New Zealand
August 12, 2010

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Hi, Jeff,
You asked for "your thoughts", so --

It's not that China or Vietnam inherently cannot make proper product, but that proper product is almost never a priority for the buyer or the seller when the buyer is shopping by cost. You have observed some evidence that the quality of these imported products is inferior, and I'd say you're probably correct. But it may do us little good to talk to the walls. See if you can get your potential customers to see your competitors' installations and ask them if that's what they want. Unfortunately, the answer may be "yes, if that's the best I can get for what I'm willing to spend".

I know only one billionaire and his advice was simple "find out what people want, and sell it to them; don't waste your time trying to change their minds". So rather than trying to compete on commodity items by trying to convince potential customers that they need better quality, I'd suggest you focus on something else. New technologies that lower costs will probably still not make your product cost competitive, so I'd concentrate on finding some sort of "bling" that customers will desperately want: two-tone, tie-dye fade finish, mirror, camoflage -- some game changer in terms of customer tastes. Just my thoughts :-)

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 13, 2010

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August 24, 2010

Sir:

Powder coated (zinc) will never match the excellent corrosion protection of HDG.

Regards,

Dr. Thomas H. Cook
Galvanizing Consultant - Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA