Now, a lot of manufacturing, particularly sub-contract manufacturing is done by small businesses.
These are relatively small shops, who are geared up to take smaller orders.
It's perfectly possible to automate, say the manufacture of a chocolate bar, where 100,000 an hour are turned out.
For work to return like this, you need to invest in machinery.
Much of this machinery, to the extent that it exists at all, is outrageously expensive. To see what I mean, have a look at the accounts filed for the big auto companies and see what they spend on P&E as they build plants.
It's insane.
How on earth you get people to put soles on sneakers in the UK is anybody's guess.
I suppose it's one thing if you are making high end boots for a brand that charges hundreds of pounds a pair, and you badge the product as 'artisanal', but the mass market doesn't buy 'artisanal' shoes.
Attracting skilled engineering talent for the mission critical jobs is a different kettle of fish entirely. We have great people, but replacing them is going to be rather challenging.
The result is that we have too many single points of failure in our business for our liking.
Not good.
