New Kubota Factory

[Scooby074]

There are some welds on my tractor that I have no doubt were done by a human :thumbsup:

Ditto to that.

My Bx is full of welds that a 1st year apprentice could do better. Kubota should be ashamed of the QC in their welding department. If i was to guess, the quality of these welds smacks of "piecework". Get 'em done,and get 'em out. Personally i hate piecework for the very mentality that it creates in the workforce.

 

[Martian]

Ditto to that.

My Bx is full of welds that a 1st year apprentice could do better. Kubota should be ashamed of the QC in their welding department. If i was to guess, the quality of these welds smacks of "piecework". Get 'em done,and get 'em out. Personally i hate piecework for the very mentality that it creates in the workforce.

And this is the tradeoff we pay. Option 1 we get a perfect weld but another lost job, Option 2 we get a weld that holds but isn't perfect and keep a job. Plus Option 1 is generally less.

 

[Fxfymn]

I think the Japaneese culture is what contributes to the quality of the products they produce. Its a very different enviroment.

Having spent some time in Japan I'd say that is absolutely true. I don't know if it is a written policy or not, but the Japanese government seems very intent on providing full employment for its citizens, even if it means inefficiency is perpetuated. For example I was told not to separate recyclables in the trash. Instead the trash is picked up in one truck and then dumped on the ground so a different crew can pull the recycles out of it. I watched a small building being constructed. Each day at least one, and sometimes two, supervisors stood and watched the crews. They did nothing but stand there with an occasional command to the crew.

I am old enough to remember when Made in Japan was synonymous with junk. It is not junk anymore. I am also old enough to remember when American automobiles were junk. I would stack my 2011 Chevrolet truck against any vehicle from any country in the world. That is what capitalism gets you; either build a product the consumer wants or someone else will.

I think we do as fine a job of manufacturing as any country in the world.

 

[Grateful11]

Highest-paid CEO collected $145.3 million in a year- MSN Money

After reading about this CEO making $145.3 Million Per year and some here are arguing about whether $12.00 per hour pay is to low or if $25.00 per hour is to high, this still makes me the sickest. Nobody and I mean nobody is worth that kind of money, It only means that we the people are letting this kind of outrageous abuse to continue, me included. Those welders in that new Kubota Plant should be making a competitive wage to keep and raise there family, that's not asking for to much is it?
DevilDog

$12/hour is not a living wage anymore. I made more than a dollar per hour
than that 23 years ago as a Journeyman Machinist. All most of us want is
a decent home, money to pay the bills and raise a couple kids. You can't do
that on $12/hour, you and your wife has to work, maybe one of you has to
work 2 jobs. Luckily I made enough that my wife was able stay home and
raise our 2 sons and we put them through college, with help from academic
scholarships . Unfortunately we lost our youngest son this past summer,
something I don't think I'm ever going to get over.

 

[Martian]

$12/hour is not a living wage anymore. I made more than a dollar per hour
than that 23 years ago as a Journeyman Machinist. All most of us want is
a decent home, money to pay the bills and raise a couple kids. You can't do
that on $12/hour, you and your wife has to work, maybe one of you has to
work 2 jobs. Luckily I made enough that my wife was able stay home and
raise our 2 sons and we put them through college, with help from academic
scholarships . Unfortunately we lost our youngest son this past summer,
something I don't think I'm ever going to get over.

$12/hour is simply not enough. Very well said too, don't need to make a killing to be happy.

Sorry to hear about your son, my condolences

 

[Grandad4]

Doesn't this thread just exemplify the sour mood so many people are in these days? Starts out with news about a plant opening with more jobs. Hard to be against that, but somehow we've succeeded.

A) Third-hand rumor about wages, totally unverified, (Post #11) launches an avalanche of complaints, which triggers spin-off complaints about high CEO salaries, unions and politics.
B) Then someone gripes it's not a "real" manufacturing plant because it's only doing assembly; then same person does a 180 backflip and complains that quality is sure to go in the dumper because product will no longer be made overseas.
C) Then another guy gripes that someone made bad welds on his tractor so obviously this new plant is going to be nothing but bad news.
D) Another guy comments on all the complaining and gets told to take a hike.

Sheesh. Well, here's hoping everyone has a nice holiday in whatever manner lifts your spirits. Glad for whoever finds work at that new plant or anywhere else. Hope the place is a great success. If you really have a problem with that, well Merry Christmas anyways. Cheers.

 

[Martian]

Doesn't this thread just exemplify the sour mood so many people are in these days? Starts out with news about a plant opening with more jobs. Hard to be against that, but somehow we've succeeded.

A) Third-hand rumor about wages, totally unverified, (Post #11) launches an avalanche of complaints, which triggers spin-off complaints about high CEO salaries, unions and politics.
B) Then someone gripes it's not a "real" manufacturing plant because it's only doing assembly; then same person does a 180 backflip and complains that quality is sure to go in the dumper because product will no longer be made overseas.
C) Then another guy gripes that someone made bad welds on his tractor so obviously this new plant is going to be nothing but bad news.
D) Another guy comments on all the complaining and gets told to take a hike.

Sheesh. Well, here's hoping everyone has a nice holiday in whatever manner lifts your spirits. Glad for whoever finds work at that new plant or anywhere else. Hope the place is a great success. If you really have a problem with that, well Merry Christmas anyways. Cheers.

I thought it was a nice discussion.

 

[houstonscott]

I thought it was a nice discussion.

Well, a foreign manufacture moving into America in a bigger way is not good news. It represents the decline of American manufacturing.

HS

 

[Martian]

Well, a foreign manufacture moving into America in a bigger way is not good news. It represents the decline of American manufacturing.

HS

I'm not saying all the things were good. I just enjoyed reading the discussion and very good points were brought - not all even relating. Just enjoyed the discussion.

 

[Ken45101]

"it's impossible to purchase hard goods and support a family ....... without dual incomes."

Bro - that train left the station in the 1970's. Now we're at the point where you'll need 3 wage earners to stay middle class. Here come polygamy:laughing:

I suspect it is only "necessary" to have dual incomes if you want to live high on the hog (as most people do today). Go back to how people lived on a single income 50 years ago: no air conditioning (CAR or home), hang the laundry out on the line to dry, "eating out" was a once a week as a special treat, a single car per family and I know my dad spent the weekend working on it so that it would be able to take him to work the next week, a single b/w TV in the house, no expensive electronic games and toys, no $100 sneakers or $80 bluejeans, etc. Even people "living in poverty" are living better today than a stable single wager earner family 50 years ago.

Actually I remember my dad working a full time job plus part time, plus going to night school to learn welding so as to get a better job.

Those welders in that new Kubota Plant should be making a competitive wage to keep and raise there family, that's not asking for to much is it?

I am sure that they WILL be making a competitive wage or else Kubota won't get people to apply for the job. "Competitive wage" will be met or people will go to other, better paying jobs. No other better paying jobs? Well, then it's a competitive wage. Actually I suspect Kubota will be paying slightly above the local competitive wages.

Ken

 

[300UGUY]

I suspect it is only "necessary" to have dual incomes if you want to live high on the hog (as most people do today). Go back to how people lived on a single income 50 years ago: no air conditioning (CAR or home), hang the laundry out on the line to dry, "eating out" was a once a week as a special treat, a single car per family and I know my dad spent the weekend working on it so that it would be able to take him to work the next week, a single b/w TV in the house, no expensive electronic games and toys, no $100 sneakers or $80 bluejeans, etc. Even people "living in poverty" are living better today than a stable single wager earner family 50 years ago.

Actually I remember my dad working a full time job plus part time, plus going to night school to learn welding so as to get a better job.



I am sure that they WILL be making a competitive wage or else Kubota won't get people to apply for the job. "Competitive wage" will be met or people will go to other, better paying jobs. No other better paying jobs? Well, then it's a competitive wage. Actually I suspect Kubota will be paying slightly above the local competitive wages.

Ken

I see folks around here working 2 or 3 jobs, trying to make ends meet. Wages have been falling for years, and we have lost a lot of manufacturing jobs. Most of the jobs lost were in small, non union plants. A lot of these folks were never making more than $12 to 15 per hour. Even at that, they lost their jobs to asian and Mexican workers willing to work for much less. One of my neighbor's is a manager at a local plant. 10 years ago he was paying up to $17 for production workers. Now his top guys are maxing out at $11. He says that it is "M or M, - Minimum wage or Mexico". The corporation he works for has plants in Mexico. If the Americans get too pricey, the jobs go to Mexico.

BTW, it gets cold up here, no money, no heat, gets a little uncomfortable.

 

[Martian]

Since this had gotten way off track I'll post this:

My father is in the recruiting business. Recently they've seen a huge spike in business. They are expected to triple their 2011 projection. The biggest problem they are having is people don't want to work. Most of the jobs they have are $12/hour and people have decided they would rather sit at home and take unemployment than to get a job and advance themselves. They don't understand they have to start small and work their way up. People now a days expect that they are going to start off at a high level in a company. Now all of us who are trying to make an honest living are paying taxes for these goons that don't do anything and taking less out of our pocket. I'm ok with people needing unemployment while they search but a lot are taking advantage of the system. There are jobs to be had - people just don't want to work.

 

[TripleR]

Since this had gotten way off track I'll post this:

My father is in the recruiting business. Recently they've seen a huge spike in business. They are expected to triple their 2011 projection. The biggest problem they are having is people don't want to work. Most of the jobs they have are $12/hour and people have decided they would rather sit at home and take unemployment than to get a job and advance themselves. They don't understand they have to start small and work their way up. People now a days expect that they are going to start off at a high level in a company. Now all of us who are trying to make an honest living are paying taxes for these goons that don't do anything and taking less out of our pocket. I'm ok with people needing unemployment while they search but a lot are taking advantage of the system. There are jobs to be had - people just don't want to work.

Sadly this is a trend in many instances. When I was growing up, I hauled hay, chopped cotton, "big weeded beans", and just about anything I could to make spending money. I grew up on a farm, but some on my crew grew up in town, but were willing to put in a hard days work. My "boss" was a classmate who used his dad's truck and hired the crew.

When my father in law was alive, he hired high school kids from town to do some of the menial things on the farms that he couldn't do. I have tried to get kids to come to work on our farm to work doing stuff I can't do like picking up storm debris, dragging limbs etc. and no one is willing work. We tried two different groups of kids a couple of years ago and all they would do was sit in the shade once you left or play grab a** and do no work.

 

[bunchgrass]

I suspect it is only "necessary" to have dual incomes if you want to live high on the hog (as most people do today). Go back to how people lived on a single income 50 years ago: no air conditioning (CAR or home), hang the laundry out on the line to dry, "eating out" was a once a week as a special treat, a single car per family and I know my dad spent the weekend working on it so that it would be able to take him to work the next week, a single b/w TV in the house, no expensive electronic games and toys, no $100 sneakers or $80 bluejeans, etc. Even people "living in poverty" are living better today than a stable single wager earner family 50 years ago.

Find a car w/o AC these days or a B/W tv or shoes that cost under $50 and can last more than a week. We still only eat out once a month if that, hang our laundry when possible, only e-gadget is a cheap cell phone and a computer and don't have household AC - so why am I not "rolling in the bucks"?

Now cars cost what huge houses used to and cars used to cost what you'll pay for a set of pickup tires these days.

I do agree that there are plenty that pass on doing any physical labor. We, like many others, can't muster together a handful of HS kids to haul hay in. So now everyone is going to round bales or other means that doesn't require hiring/depending on others. Too bad cause kids used to be able to make a bit of money doing it. Some would rather go hold a "slow/stop" sign for a day or two and then take the summer off.

 

[ccsial]

This really boils down to having to compete in a global market.

If we have to compete with countries with a lower standard of living, then ours must become lower.

 

[canoetrpr]

I'm also more likely to purchase a tractor made wholly in Japan versus a 2 country build simply because the Japanese still retain the 'craftsmen' attitude that WAS prevelant here, 30 years ago and isn't today. The Japanese pride themselves on quality while we pride ourselves on productivity at the expense of quality.....

That is a sad situation........

That is a very astute, and correct (IMHO) observation. I was in Japan in October on business and work regularly with customers and colleagues there. The worth ethic is simply AMAZING. A product / quality failure is seen as a PERSONAL failure by the engineers.

 

[300UGUY]

That is a very astute, and correct (IMHO) observation. I was in Japan in October on business and work regularly with customers and colleagues there. The worth ethic is simply AMAZING. A product / quality failure is seen as a PERSONAL failure by the engineers.

The plant I retired from bought some Japanese machining centers a few years ago. They got a great deal on the machines, about 20 in total. Turns out, the Japanese prefecture, equivelent to our state government, was subsidizing the company, which was essentially bankrupt. They would rather keep folks working than pay unemployment.

 

[5030]

Sadly this is a trend in many instances. When I was growing up, I hauled hay, chopped cotton, "big weeded beans", and just about anything I could to make spending money. I grew up on a farm, but some on my crew grew up in town, but were willing to put in a hard days work. My "boss" was a classmate who used his dad's truck and hired the crew.

When my father in law was alive, he hired high school kids from town to do some of the menial things on the farms that he couldn't do. I have tried to get kids to come to work on our farm to work doing stuff I can't do like picking up storm debris, dragging limbs etc. and no one is willing work. We tried two different groups of kids a couple of years ago and all they would do was sit in the shade once you left or play grab a** and do no work.

Exactly why I do a one person hay business. You can't find any younger people willing to work. Kids today want to play video games and yak on a cell phone that mommy and daddy pay for.

Another reason I'm down on teachers getting big pay and health perks. What do kids learn in public school today (for the most part).....

 

[5030]

Boy this thread is a waste of time. The only informative part was the first, the rest is nothing but complaining and politics.

Took you 75 posts to come to that conclusion......

You must be a 12 buck an hour welder.......:laughing:

 

[Martian]

Exactly why I do a one person hay business. You can't find any younger people willing to work. Kids today want to play video games and yak on a cell phone that mommy and daddy pay for.

Another reason I'm down on teachers getting big pay and health perks. What do kids learn in public school today (for the most part).....

I could not possibly agree more with this statement.