Solyndra - lock out this morning
08-31-2011, 08:51 AM
#1
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Solyndra - lock out this morning
CRAP Solyndra is done... 
This was supposed to be the future of CA manufacturing
Solyndra Shutting Its Doors | NBC Bay Area
We are so economically screwed.... time to start learning Chinese
This was supposed to be the future of CA manufacturing
Solyndra Shutting Its Doors | NBC Bay Area
We are so economically screwed.... time to start learning Chinese
08-31-2011, 09:03 AM
#5
If in doubt, FLAT OUT
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I never understood why they built such a massive plant for an industry that was basically already a commodity before they even started. After Applied Materials dumped their solar division, it was clear that this market wasn't going to go anywhere.
08-31-2011, 09:33 AM
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If in doubt, FLAT OUT
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I think they got a grant because they are a green company. The Solar industry isn't making any money right now due to the fact that the whole thing with solar is about driving cost down. The industry is big, but the companies doing the manufacturing aren't going to be able to turn big profits. The article said they were supposed to have an IPO and when that didn't happen, they basically didn't have the funds to continue.
Really sucks for all those people who worked there.
Really sucks for all those people who worked there.
08-31-2011, 10:17 AM
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This is seriously sad. I've read articles at how the "cheap labor" countries like China siphon more and more until the whole industry cannot exist in the USA. They start with a few cheap components. The USA company goes "yes!" because it makes better profits and the shareholders cheer. The China subcontractor starts saying, "hey let me also make this for you". And so on until most of the knowhow is transferred, but the USA company still exists at the very "top" of the chain. Pretty soon the entire materials and manufacturing know how has completely transferred to China and a company in China is formed to build the equivalent product... and the USA company cannot compete. They could not see how in the short term "cost cutting" they shot themselves in the foot and gave up hopes to compete long term.
Yes it's sad all the people lost their jobs... sadly this will continue to happen until we (both corporate and government policy) can figure out how to create sustainable businesses domestically. One of the most prominent things in doing so is to NOT GIVE UP YOUR TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY.
08-31-2011, 10:33 AM
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I'm generally a free-trade kinda guy, but I think it's gotten to the point where we just need to tariff the **** out of imports.
China with it's slave labor, currency manipulation and lack environmental restrictions is not a level playing field.
China with it's slave labor, currency manipulation and lack environmental restrictions is not a level playing field.
08-31-2011, 10:36 AM
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