Australia will always have a manufacturing industry - it will just have to evolve to more value add style products and technology driven items to survive. It will need to differentiate its product offerings. The old school style of manufacturing will never survive - as Mac said australia can not compete on the labour side of the equation. It's just a fact. Expect more rationalisation in coming years in this sector. My lady lost her job in Feb as they moved their plant to Thailand.

Tux said..
I'm a tight ass and will by where ever is cheapest...surf stitch are awesome and I did 99% of my Christmas shopping with them....even though I live at the home of Rip Curl and go to the seconds shop aboutr every month its still cheaper for me to get a wettie online usually...how the **** does that work

I would never buy a wettie online (just saying)..most surfers would be very lucky to be a standard size, that is unless you go for the custom made manufacturers here in Aus..I find I have to try on at least 5-8 to get one that fits well.

Don't get me wrong about online trading....I've have traded boards/memorabillia etc etc for over 10 years online..more like an electronic "Trading Post"

Times have changed I suppose....after our great local surfshop closed I went to the other surf shop in town for the first time in about 8 years..what a dissapointment....sooo many robotic boards plus a huge range of.."surfie hipster clothing

Not the slightest wiff of resin or wax...RIP

Tux said..

surfbroker said..

Tux said..
I'm a tight ass and will by where ever is cheapest...surf stitch are awesome and I did 99% of my Christmas shopping with them....even though I live at the home of Rip Curl and go to the seconds shop aboutr every month its still cheaper for me to get a wettie online usually...how the **** does that work

I would never buy a wettie online (just saying)..most surfers would be very lucky to be a standard size, that is unless you go for the custom made manufacturers here in Aus..I find I have to try on at least 5-8 to get one that fits well.

Don't get me wrong about online trading....I've have traded boards/memorabillia etc etc for over 10 years online..more like an electronic "Trading Post"

Times have changed I suppose....after our great local surfshop closed I went to the other surf shop in town for the first time in about 8 years..what a dissapointment....sooo many robotic boards plus a huge range of.."surfie hipster clothing

Not the slightest wiff of resin or wax...RIP

Yeah its not just wetties bro pretty much everything else is cheaper online...if I need something in a hurry I will still go to the shops

The one thing I seem to be able to get a better deal on over here is wetties . I stay with Excel (extra large short) fits me perfect 4/3 Infiniti $300- $350 if I buy in summer

Sounds good to me, obviously I just need to mention 'Mac' for an automatic 20% discount.