Hardy of Alnwick, maker of fine fly reels as well as fly rods, is moving their production to Korea.In other words: Hardy is outsourcing.
There are four main reasons for outsourcing that is occurring in the fly fishing industry:
* Labor is much cheaper than homeland;
* Production related costs (the non-labor related ones like housing costs, taxes, etc.) are much cheaper elsewhere;
* There are simply no new craftsmen available;
* The investors just want more money for their bang (= getting greedy).
If a company is to stay producing in the original country, the question is: is the consumer willing to pay a higher price for it? How realistic this is depends on whether the product is unique enough simply because it's a one of a kind...Hardy's decision to outsource is an approach that probably will hurt Hardy more and deeper than they realize. Hardy equals tradition and tradition only. Not because it's technically more advanced that other similar products (which long ago was by the way). Hardy made in the far east means it's just a fishing brand just like many others. No more distinction so it just needs to fight for the same value for money balance as the next brand.
Good bye Hardy...
