Inflation and Production

[Savheagle]

Although years of total reliance upon Asia to manufacture many items and component parts is now taking it's toll, it seems strange this manufacturer of trikes is in a state of peril - even survival - over a critical component part for all of their bikes/trikes. Numerous metal shops still exist that would compete for the contract to make "the single component" necessary to finish 500 bikes. There are hundreds of machine shops in every region of the country that could either make the part to customers specs or even design and make the part necessary to finish the trikes. The trike manufacturer's circumstance seems self-made. Perhaps they are short on ready cash and have all of it tied up in that particular part order, who knows....Metallurgy, Foundries and Manufacturing from China is inconsistent at best and in many instances, out and out fraud coupled with a relationship similar to working with a high seas pirate. I have seen insurance claims for death and serious injury traced back to poor and inaccurate metallurgy specifications on struts and support members made in China, metal tension and torque requirements not close to what was requested and paid for... We really need to take back quality manufacturing of many, many things we gave up too readily to the advances of NAFTA and Globalism. Self Reliance is a good thing.

[reader2580]

The component the recumbent trike manufacturer is waiting for is the derailleur. Not sure if front or rear derailleur, or both. I believe the derailleurs are made in Taiwan. The manufacturer builds their own trike frames and seat frames from aluminum in Orlando, Florida. I assume they can get the aluminum since they have hundreds of trikes made just waiting for the final components.