Product Description

Poorly Made in China chronicles the experiences of an American working for a U.S. outsourcing firm in Chinese manufacturing and highlights the disturbing and dangerous practice known as "quality fade"––the deliberate and secretive habit of widening profit margins through a reduction in the quality of materials over time. The author argues that U.S. importers don′t stand a chance against factory owners in China who are savvier and who have little to lose by placing American health and safety at risk. A well–written and impassioned narrative, Poorly Made in China is one insider′s account of the quality–fade tactics used by China in seven industries, including health and beauty care, diamonds, and construction. Poorly Made in China will sound an alarm that all of America should heed.

Paul Midler (Scottsdale, AZ) has been working with China for close to two decades. He created China Advantage, a services firm, to assist American companies with their business objectives in East Asia. The author earned his MBA from the Wharton School and is a Mandarin speaker.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31920 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
“Most of the people in Mr. Midler’s position would not dream of disclosing what they see...” (The Economist)

“Midler has written a fascinating, funny and important book.” (Asia Times)

“..an invaluable book for anyone considering doing business in China or teaching a course in international  trade...a book for all consumers in countries that import products from China.” (Epoch Times)

“...a must–read for people engaged in mainland business.” (South China Morning Post)

“Poorly Made in China manages to be both instructive and entertaining, with lessons not only for businesspeople looking to China for profits, but also for our politicians seeking to promote honest trade and U.S. national interests.” (National Review)

“Poorly Made In China is not so much a hatchet job on Chinese manufacturers than a lively dissection of the cultural clash between Chinese and Western businessmen.” (The Star)

"By the time Midler finishes telling his tale, he has upended a lot of the assumptions about this factory for the world..." (Forbes)

"This book has plenty of laugh–out–loud moments." (Financial Times)

Review
‘…provides an interesting alternative to the hagiographic view of globalisation...′ (Wilmott.com, September 2009).

‘…comes closer than any author to explaining the dysfunctional business culture behind such deadly product scandals…’.  (Far Eastern Economic Review, September 2009).

From the Inside Flap
It was a world gone wrong, one in which manufacturers thought little of manipulating product quality levels in order to save the smallest amounts, where savvy foreign business leaders were made to feel in control while they were taken for a ride by their partners, where entire manufacturing facilities sometimes vanished right into thin air… Welcome to Poorly Made in China!

At the height of the boom export manufacturing, Paul Midler returned to East Asia, a recently graduated Wharton MBA. In the right place at the right time, he was sought out by a number of foreign companies who wanted help in navigating the new economy. The adventures came fast, as did the business and cultural lessons.

Poorly Made in China is a dramatic romp through China′s export manufacturing sector, one that reveals what really goes on behind the scenes. The story follows the author from one project to the next, taking the reader through a diverse set of industries and revealing a number of challenges.

An engaging business narrative told with doses of humor and insight, this true story pulls back the curtain on the rising Chinese economy, providing a closer look at the rough–and–tumble environment in which so many of our consumer products are being made. For those trying to make sense of why so many quality failures could come out of China at once, this book is an especially interesting read.

Poorly Made in China is the tale of a modern–day gold rush and its consequences, the chronicling of a rising economic power and its path along a steep growth curve. Entertaining and eye–opening, the book highlights the extent to which culture affects business dealings, and the ultimate suggestion is that we may have more to be concerned about than product failures alone."

Customer Reviews

A fresh view of Chinese business practices
Paul Midler has got lots of hands-on experience about what business relations between Chinese manufacturers and US or European importers look like and feel. For me, he presented a totally new, unexpected and scary picture of things. The book is generally interesting, and of special value for those who want to do business in China.

Remarkably well-written overview of production games by Chinese manufacturers
This book is a remarkably well-written account of the various (oftentimes nefarious) games played by Chinese manufacturers - especially when dealing with western clients.
Paul Midler narrates his various adventures as an intermediary between chinese bosses or factory owners and western CEOs or managers who are hoping to benefit from the "low cost" Chinese production environment.
He shows with clarity as well as humor how local factory owners and managers engage in various shenanigans, in effect engagin in a negative kaizen (i.e. continuous worsening) of product quality and features at the detriment of gullible clients.
This book is a must read for any person who is interested in what's happening in China today, particularly for those who have a business interest in that country.