Made in Japan no longer means what it did two generations ago. With the help of quality guru W. Edward Deming in post-war Japan, “cheap, low-value” was changed to, “high-value, expensive” and led to Japan developing a burgeoning export business.
Today, we are challenged to know where our animal health products are made. Three company representatives discussed their products, the reasoning for made in America and quality perceptions in the roundtable article below.
Source: Veterinary Practice News, December 18, 2017.
Monitoring materials and the manufacturing process is easier when products are made close to home. For some companies, a higher-quality product justifies the higher cost of doing business domestically.
INSIGHTS: Whether it is equipment or pharmaceuticals, animal health pros must consider quality and quality management before we depend on our products to deliver results. Low price is not always an indicator of poor value, yet value and consistency are critical to trusting the results with each use or Rx.
As we approach the convention and trade shows, consider asking about manufacturing sources and quality control measures and research new items or alternative sources.