Your Next Kayak could be Made in China

Long before Australia was a nation, the Inuit and
Native Peoples’ in Canada had perfected the crafts
we know today as canoes and kayaks. Voyageurs
journeyed into the wilderness establishing the Fur
Trade, opening up settlements in what has become
modern Canada. From there kayaks evolved and
became part of life in Northern America, were used
to settle the south Pacific and Hawaii, carried peoples
to Europe and Asia.

However, recent developments in the kayak industry
may be leading to the erosion of what many
consider part of the traditional kayak Legacy. An
increasing number of kayak companies are making
the decision to move their production to China. Access
to an endless labour force, low wages, questionable
human rights and substandard working
conditions has kayak executives licking their chops
with an alternative way to cut costs and maximize
profits.

What types of kayaks are being made overseas?
Contrary to the “Made in China is cheap”
stigma, it may surprise you to learn it’s the more
expensive fibreglass, Kevlar and carbon boats that
are being farmed out. Why, its simple, composite
kayaks are much more labors intensive to produce
than other kayak types, so savings are maximized.
Vacuumed formed Thermoform kayaks and lower
cost roto-mold kayaks require less man-hours to
produce as they are largely machine made, therefore
manufacturing is still economically vialble in
any country, for now.

Ironically, some of the big US and Canadian companies
who have already been gobbled up by
American giants, are now leading the exodus of
large North American kayak companies setting up
shop in Asia: For instance, Necky Kayaks who were
originally established in B.C. Necky Kayaks is now
owned by Johnson Outdoors. This U.S. Company
has moved 40% of their composite sea kayak manufacturing
to China, These models are stamped
“Made In China” according and include: Eliza UL,
Manitou 13 UL, Manitou 14 UL, and the Looksha
17. Necky’s 6 highest-end Composites are still being
made in Maine, USA.

Once Canadian, Current Designs (now owned by
the Wenonah Canoe Co. in Minnesota) is manufacturing
its new 2008 Vision Kayak Series in China

Originally based in Sweden Point 65 N Kayaks has
moved 100% of both their composite & roto-mold
kayak production to China. Note: “Sweden” is plastered
all over their web site and boats ... but ironically
“made in China” stickers are no where to be
found?

Epic Kayaks with their head office in Charleston SC
have moved their kayak manufacturing to the Flying
Eagle Boat Company of China. The thing to watch
is the fact that companies may go to great lengths to hide the fact that their kayaks are now made in Asia!

For every North American, or for that matter, Australian manufacturer who has moved kayak production offshore, an even larger number of companies will consider moving. “Big Business” is driving every one to economy of scale. When one big-box store commits – they all do, when one fast food joint successfully sets up shop – other chains quickly follow.

The unfair Asian workplace has executives suddenly worried that if they don’t move first their competition will! However, its not all plain sailing. A dizzying number of complex, logistical challenges await the companies who move production to Asia. Cultural and language barriers will initially slow manufacturing processes. Quality control, consistency and production issues will be daunting.

For the US and Europe the vast distances between companies and markets will slow shipping and add to distribution costs. And although this may not be quite as expensive for Australian companies, efficient customer service will still be difficult. This customer service and warranty concerns are not currently an issue with boats made in Australia, as it is far easier to contact Australian manufacturers, and usually quicker.

Other questions regarding quality also arise. How good will kayak quality be when the boats finally reach paddle sports shops? Even though other products currently manufactured in China are of a high standard only time will tell whether Asian made kayaks will end up being the Holy Grail of profit some executives believe, or just a marketing nightmare. For all consumers buying a kayak “Made in China” may raise some moral, ethical and environmental questions:

*Can these boats compete with other products proven quality?
*Does China’s environmental record concern you?

In the end it will be up to consumers & retailers to rate how well, or not, these kayaks are made and if they can ethically justify a purchase. But if the quality is right, and the price will surely be economically feasible, it seems to be just a matter of time before more product is imported from Asia to Australia, than from the US or Europe.

Insert: Other brands now manufactured in China include Azul and Riot Kayaks. (Feelfree Kayaks are made in Thailand)