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Overview:
Manufacturing outsourcing has long been a business strategy that many U.S. firms have been increasingly practicing. American companies have been drawn to those countries like China, India and Mexico for the reduced labor costs and as a means to expand their markets. These objectives were accomplished through a combination of outsourcing, new green field sites, JVs and acquisitions, with a heavy emphasis on China as the low-cost country of choice for manufacturing.
Now, according to a recent report by AlixPartners, the tide could be changing as China has become a more expensive place to manufacture relative to places like Mexico and the U.S. which have become more affordable.
Tune in to a discussion of the findings of AlixPartners' 2010 Manufacturing-Outsourcing Cost Index report, which will highlight the trends and market conditions for low-cost country manufacturing. Find out how this data may impact corporate strategy and deal-making for American companies and their outsourcing partners.
We'll ask: What factors caused the changes in total landed costs in manufacturing outsourcing, and where does it appear to be going in the next few years? How will corporate executives and private equity firms modify their deal-making strategies in reaction to these trends? Will American manufacturers migrate back to North America, and, if so, what impact will this have on global manufacturing?
To get answers to these questions and more, join The Deal, AlixPartners and our panel of experts for a 60-minute Web cast: The changing tide of low cost country manufacturing.
Click here to watch the replay
Moderator:
SUZANNE STEVENS
Senior Editor
The Deal
Stevens joined The Deal in 2004 and has been instrumental in expanding The Deal's coverage of corporate dealmakers and transactions. She focuses on a variety of corporate growth topics including outsourcing, research and development and post-merger integration. With the debut of The Deal's online video content, Stevens frequently interviews senior-level advisers and corporate executives for a regular video series called "Inside the Deal."
Stevens was previously the editor for Fordham University's online news service and a contributor to Fordham Magazine. She came to New York from Portland, Oregon, where she spent four years as associate editor and senior writer at Oregon Business Magazine. Stevens began her journalism career in public radio, serving as a reporter/producer and on-air host for the National Public Radio news programs "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" at stations in Kentucky and North Carolina. She was also a regular contributor to NPR.
STEPHEN MAURER
Managing Director
AlixPartners
Stephen Maurer is a managing director in the Enterprise Improvement Practice of AlixPartners. He is a senior management consulting professional with extensive experience in manufacturing and supply chain management. Maurer leads the AlixPartners manufacturing improvement practice for North America where has worked with clients in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, CPG, electronics and food processing industries.
Prior to joining AlixPartners, Maurer was a principal with A.T. Kearney in Chicago. He has also held positions with the consulting group George Group Inc. and Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems. Maurer holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa, and an M.B.A. from College of William and Mary.
DIANNE JEFFERIES
former Senior Vice President of Production and Product Development
Loft Outlet of Ann Taylor Inc.
Dianne Jefferies was senior vice president of production and product development at Loft Outlet of Ann Taylor Inc., a women's retail specialty company with several hundred locations and multiple channels of distribution. She joined Ann Taylor in 2004 as vice president in the Loft stores, driving the transition of their footwear sourcing from Brazil to China.
Jeffries led strategic sourcing initiatives in new-country development and completed several new-country startups that have led to lower costs and and a more balanced sourcing base. She has extensive and diversified experience driving global high-profile lifestyle brands including Ann Taylor, Hanna Andersson, Eddie Bauer and Brittania (a division of Levi's) across men's, women's and children's apparel and nonapparel products with a comprehensive expertise in all aspects of merchandising, sourcing and product development.
MARK R. WILLIAMS
Partner
DLA Piper
Mark R. Williams, a partner in the corporate and securities group of DLA Piper, concentrates his practice on in-bound and out-bound investment, general corporate, commercial, mergers and acquisitions, franchise, advising distressed companies in corporate matters and venture capital transactions. He has been involved in numerous international transactions, including corporate restructurings, licensing transactions, joint ventures and foreign direct investments, particularly with respect to Asia and the Middle East.
Before returning to DLA's Chicago office in mid-2009, Williams opened DLA Piper's Doha, Qatar, office, where he was head of the corporate group, focusing on transactions in the Middle East.
Prior to Williams' time in the Middle East, he was managing partner of DLA Piper's Beijing office (having spent nearly four years in the Beijing and Shanghai offices) and worked on transactions in Asia. He was also a member of DLA Piper's U.S.-Asia committee and DLA Piper's China leadership group, as well as chair of DLA Piper's hospitality and leisure group in Asia.
