The opening case explores how globalization influenced strategic decision making at TruckLabs, a US. company producing panels designed to improve the aerodynamics of cargo tricks generating savings on fuel costs. In 2015. TruckLabs set up manufacturing operations in Asia where labor costs were relatively low and skilled technicians were readily available. Low tariffs and efficient shipping options facalitated the outsourcing strategy. Activities essential to TruckLabs competitive advantage remained in the United States. In 2017, recently elected Donald Trump levied 25 percent tariffs on many imports from China including Trucklabs panels. Because the tariffs effectively raised prices by 25 percent, the cost advantages outsourcing production to Asia that had been present in 2015 disappeared. After considering moving production to other countries in Asia. TruckLabs concluded that it made more sense to move production to the United States where most of its customers were located. An unanticipated benefit of the change in manufacturing strategy emerged in 2021, when domestic production enabled TruckLabs to avoid many of the pandemic related supply cham disruptions challenging companies relying on manufacturing in Asia. Discussion of the case can begin with the following questions: QUESTION 1: Reflect on the decision by TruckLabs to initially outsource production to Asia. How has globalization created opportunities for companies like TruckLabs to optimize their supply chains? QUESTION 2: Consider the globalization of production as it relates to China and other southeast Asian countries is China's role as the world's factory floor slipping away? Explain. QUESTION 3: How has geopolitics influenced strategy at TruckLabs?

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Author:WINSTON, Wayne L.
Publisher:WINSTON, Wayne L.
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The opening case explores how globalization influenced strategic decision making at TruckLabs, a US.
company producing panels designed to improve the aerodynamics of cargo tricks generating savings on fuel
costs. In 2015. TruckLabs set up manufacturing operations in Asia where labor costs were relatively low and
skilled technicians were readily available. Low tariffs and efficient shipping options facalitated the
outsourcing strategy. Activities essential to TruckLabs competitive advantage remained in the United States.
In 2017, recently elected Donald Trump levied 25 percent tariffs on many imports from China including
Trucklabs panels. Because the tariffs effectively raised prices by 25 percent, the cost advantages
outsourcing production to Asia that had been present in 2015 disappeared. After considering moving
production to other countries in Asia. TruckLabs concluded that it made more sense to move production to the
United States where most of its customers were located. An unanticipated benefit of the change in
manufacturing strategy emerged in 2021, when domestic production enabled TruckLabs to avoid many of the
pandemic related supply cham disruptions challenging companies relying on manufacturing in Asia.
Discussion of the case can begin with the following questions:
QUESTION 1: Reflect on the decision by TruckLabs to initially outsource production to Asia. How has
globalization created opportunities for companies like TruckLabs to optimize their supply chains?
QUESTION 2: Consider the globalization of production as it relates to China and other southeast Asian
countries is China's role as the world's factory floor slipping away? Explain.
QUESTION 3: How has geopolitics influenced strategy at TruckLabs?
Transcribed Image Text:The opening case explores how globalization influenced strategic decision making at TruckLabs, a US. company producing panels designed to improve the aerodynamics of cargo tricks generating savings on fuel costs. In 2015. TruckLabs set up manufacturing operations in Asia where labor costs were relatively low and skilled technicians were readily available. Low tariffs and efficient shipping options facalitated the outsourcing strategy. Activities essential to TruckLabs competitive advantage remained in the United States. In 2017, recently elected Donald Trump levied 25 percent tariffs on many imports from China including Trucklabs panels. Because the tariffs effectively raised prices by 25 percent, the cost advantages outsourcing production to Asia that had been present in 2015 disappeared. After considering moving production to other countries in Asia. TruckLabs concluded that it made more sense to move production to the United States where most of its customers were located. An unanticipated benefit of the change in manufacturing strategy emerged in 2021, when domestic production enabled TruckLabs to avoid many of the pandemic related supply cham disruptions challenging companies relying on manufacturing in Asia. Discussion of the case can begin with the following questions: QUESTION 1: Reflect on the decision by TruckLabs to initially outsource production to Asia. How has globalization created opportunities for companies like TruckLabs to optimize their supply chains? QUESTION 2: Consider the globalization of production as it relates to China and other southeast Asian countries is China's role as the world's factory floor slipping away? Explain. QUESTION 3: How has geopolitics influenced strategy at TruckLabs?
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