China has become the world's largest manufacturer, with manufacturing output reaching $2.9 trillion USD in 2012, 20% more than the United States. However, quality and safety issues plague some Chinese factories, as evidenced by incidents like thousands of diseased pigs being dumped in a water supply. In response, inspections of food, packaging, and other products from China increased dramatically in the first quarter of 2013. While manufacturing growth in Asia continues, concerns remain about working conditions and whether standards can be consistently enforced across industries.

1. The Truth About China
AsiaInspection Barometer - Q1 2013

2. Of the world’s goods now come from China
Source: http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/2013/03/14/china-widens-lead-as-worlds-largest-manufacturer/

3. In 2012 their manufacturing output reached
$2.9 Trillion USD
Source: http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/2013/03/14/china-widens-lead-as-worlds-largest-manufacturer/

4. That’s…
20% more than the US ($2.43 Trillion)
Source: http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/2013/03/14/china-widens-lead-as-worlds-largest-manufacturer/

5. If you were to fly that money
to the US in $100 bills you’d need
45 Airbuses

6. There are talks of
manufacturing returning
to the West, but…

7. US manufacturing
output dropped
in Jan 2013
-0.4%
Source: http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/20130215/

8. US imports from
Asia increased
in Jan 2013
+23%
Source: http://www.zepol.com/BLOG/post/2013/03/15/US-Customs-Trade-Data-February-2013-Import-Update.aspx

9. And the EU also saw
a big decline in
manufacturing output
in Jan 2013
-1.7%
Source: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/euro-area/industrial-production

10. Western brands say that
they want to bring
manufacturing "back home"

11. committed to invest US$50 billion
in “Made in America” products over the next 10 years
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/15/us-walmart-us-idUSBRE90E0MB20130115

12. But this only amounts to
0.93%
of their total sales

13. So can the West really
compete?

14. China is predicted to be the world’s
BIGGEST
economy by 2016
Source: http://www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/economicsurveyofchina2013.htm

15. but…
quality & safety
can be hit and miss

16. 16,000
diseased pigs
were dumped in Shanghai’s
drinking water in March
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/29/dead-pigs-china-water-supply

17. It’s hard to visualize that many pigs…
HHHH
But if they were to line up, they’d cover
28.8km

18. The scariest part is…
HHHH $
Underground traders buy pigs that
have died from disease and sell them
Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90882/8191519.html

19. There is a silver lining though…
In Q1 2013 Inspections of Food and
Food Packaging items surged
+212%
Source: AsiaInspection Internal Figures

20. And overall inspections performed in
China increased
+27%
Source: AsiaInspection Internal Figures

21. But is it enough?

22. Factory Fires in Asia killed
HUNDREDS
in the past few months
Source: http://www.cleanclothes.org/resources/ccc/working-conditions/fatal-fashion

23. Usually because the windows were
barred and people couldn’t escape
Source: http://www.cleanclothes.org/resources/ccc/working-conditions/fatal-fashion

24. “The only safeguard for workers and
brands is to ensure business is
conducted only with factories that meet
or exceed safety standards”
Sebastien Breteau, CEO of AsiaInspection

25. Source: AsiaInspection Internal Figures
Manufacturing growth in Asia is booming
despite these challenges and China is
branching into new areas
Industrial & Food Body Care
Mechanical Items Products Products
+42% +212% +36%

26. The Truth about China?
It’s going to be hard to catch…

27. AsiaInspection
TM
Your Eyes in the Factory!
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for importers from Asia, providing web-based account
management, fast scheduling and highly competitive prices
for companies seeking Product Inspection, Factory Audit
and Laboratory Testing services in Asia. AsiaInspection
serves clients from over 100 countries worldwide.
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