DJI makes 1 billion in 2015 but why isn't it made in America ?

peterepeat69 · Mar 30, 2016

I'm amazed at the growth DJI has had doubling its turnover in 1 year and yet it's a chinese designed chinese made product. What would Donald Trump say? "Time to make quality drones in America " I'd say, but over all hats off to China, this for me is the first time I've seen a quality product designed and made in China, a good sign for things to come for China in general, why? Because they listen to their customers and strive for perfection, no different to apple really (which is designed in America).

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alokbhargava · Mar 30, 2016

Were the DJI designers educated in US?

peterepeat69 · Mar 30, 2016

alokbhargava said:
Were the DJI designers educated in US?

Very good question indeed

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chapsrlz · Mar 30, 2016

dont forget about colin guinn ;-)

Meta4 · Mar 30, 2016

alokbhargava said:
Were the DJI designers educated in US?

Probably not

Erroll · Mar 30, 2016

peterepeat69 said:
this for me is the first time I've seen a quality product designed and made in China

You really should get out more.

peterepeat69 · Mar 30, 2016

Erroll said:
You really should get out more.

Donald trump would probably agree!

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Erroll · Mar 30, 2016

peterepeat69 said:
Donald trump would probably agree!

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Upper5Percent · Mar 30, 2016

peterepeat69 said:
Donald trump would probably agree!

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Trump Manufactures His Clothing Line in China and Mexico While Bashing Them for "Stealing" US Jobs

Noodle · Mar 30, 2016

Because things made in America are not the best.
We often associate with quality product made in certain European countries.

ShelbyPoker · Mar 30, 2016

Europe might be associated with quality - when living in the US - and it works the other way around too, when living in Europe, we often associate "Made in USA" with high quality

But why is so many things made in China ? Well, I'm just in the middle of it at the moment !! I've been working as an electronics technician / SMD electronics robot programmer, for the last 25 years at Contex (you might know us - we produce large format scanners).

So far, these scanners have been "Made in Denmark" - but as we speak, we are closing down the factory here in Denmark and transfering the whole thing to a factory in China

Why ?? In Denmark, a "blue collar" worker is paid around 22-25 USD/hour, but in China they are only paid circa 1.5 USD/hour - money talks !

And a Technician/Engineer is paid roughly 30+ USD/hour

I am a member of the board in Contex (a thing in Denmark called "Employe elected boardmember"), and we are well aware that quality might be at risk, but money-wise it seems to be a win-win situation.

So, that's why Large format scanners are "Made in China" later this year, and I would assume that the same counts for DJI

Anybody needs an electronics technician out there ?

peterepeat69 · Mar 30, 2016

ShelbyPoker said:
Europe might be associated with quality - when living in the US - and it works the other way around too, when living in Europe, we often associate "Made in USA" with high quality

But why is so many things made in China ? Well, I'm just in the middle of it at the moment !! I've been working as an electronics technician / SMD electronics robot programmer, for the last 25 years at Contex (you might know us - we produce large format scanners).

So far, these scanners have been "Made in Denmark" - but as we speak, we are closing down the factory here in Denmark and transfering the whole thing to a factory in China

Why ?? In Denmark, a "blue collar" worker is paid around 22-25 USD/hour, but in China they are only paid circa 1.5 USD/hour - money talks !

And a Technician/Engineer is paid roughly 30+ USD/hour

I am a member of the board in Contex (a thing in Denmark called "Employe elected boardmember"), and we are well aware that quality might be at risk, but money-wise it seems to be a win-win situation.

So, that's why Large format scanners are "Made in China" later this year, and I would assume that the same counts for DJI

Anybody needs an electronics technician out there ?

Very sad and the big thing Trump is against is slave labor in China, I say stand up and say no! Make things in America again.

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Erroll · Mar 30, 2016

peterepeat69 said:
Very sad and the big thing Trump is against is slave labor in China, I say stand up and say no! Make things in America again.

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And pay 10 times the price?

Have a look at these numbers : Top 10 products China manufactures most in the world

peterepeat69 · Mar 30, 2016

Erroll said:
And pay 10 times the price?

Have a look at these numbers : Top 10 products China manufactures most in the world

So you support slave labor?

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Meta4 · Mar 30, 2016

ShelbyPoker said:
So, that's why Large format scanners are "Made in China" later this year, and I would assume that the same counts for DJI

DJI is in China because the company is 100% Chinese.
If you haven't read about where the company came from, the story is quite interesting.
Bow To Your Billionaire Drone Overlord: Frank Wang's Quest To Put DJI Robots Into The Sky

Erroll · Mar 30, 2016

peterepeat69 said:
So you support slave labor?

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If you arrive at that conclusion based on my posts, I am truly not surprised that you support Trump.

Alas, this thread has moved in the realms of politics and it is never wise to debate politics on the interwebs.

Meta4 · Mar 30, 2016

peterepeat69 said:
So you support slave labor?

He wasn't supporting slave labour but he was pointing out the simple commercial reality that the US can make anything they like.
But if the price is going to be 10x what the competition can make them for, sales aren't going to happen.

Ajginger · Mar 30, 2016

peterepeat69 said:
I'm amazed at the growth DJI has had doubling its turnover in 1 year and yet it's a chinese designed chinese made product. What would Donald Trump say? "Time to make quality drones in America " I'd say, but over all hats off to China, this for me is the first time I've seen a quality product designed and made in China, a good sign for things to come for China in general, why? Because they listen to their customers and strive for perfection, no different to apple really (which is designed in America).

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"Quality" you say ?
I'd say 'inventive' as far as lightbridge goes but couldn't agree with quality.
If they eliminate shell cracks then I'll agree with quality as a description.

Am I too harsh on them?

peterepeat69 · Mar 30, 2016

Ajginger said:
"Quality" you say ?
I'd say 'inventive' as far as lightbridge goes but couldn't agree with quality.
If they eliminate shell cracks then I'll agree with quality as a description.

Am I too harsh on them?

Well the cracks are coming up thick and fast, so you could be right on the quality issue, I was talking more of their gimbal technology and so forth, I'm sure a plastic frame error can be adjusted at the factory, whether dji would actually spend the money improving it is another question.

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Meta4 · Mar 30, 2016

Ajginger said:
"Quality" you say ?
I'd say 'inventive' as far as lightbridge goes but couldn't agree with quality.
If they eliminate shell cracks then I'll agree with quality as a description.

Am I too harsh on them?

peterepeat69 said:
Well the cracks are coming up thick and fast, so you could be right on the quality issue

Cracking shells are a thing of the past.
More than 6 months ago there was a real (but small) problem but it's rare to hear a genuine report these days.
Just people who keep dredging up the topic like this.