Our MakerNet journey these past several weeks has focused on key areas for Field Ready and the consortium as well as for others attempting to supplement the aid supply chain with appropriate, affordable, accessible and available supplies that are locally made. We shared an overview on the design sharing and aid sourcing focus points. We shared a mapping survey that begins to bring transparency to local manufacturing capacities in previously non-digitally connected geographies. We revealed humanitarian items for testing by the greater community – a no-nonsense way to further develop humanitarian items for reliable use globally. And most recently, we shared our thoughts and questions on local
*This post originally appeared in Makernet.global 11/15/17. In our quest to catalyse more local manufacturing around the world, one of the topics we are passionate about is the need for international development and aid agencies to source more of their procurement from local manufacturers. Some of the key benefits of this are: Cheaper No shipping or customs: Local production shortens supply chains; shorter domestic supply chains reduce transport costs and eliminate international shipping and import duties. Even with a higher manufacturing cost per item, overall ‘landed cost’ can be lower. Less warehousing: Because local producers supply goods as they’re needed, agencies buying locally need t
The vast majority of the world’s small-scale manufacturers do not have any presence on the internet. They get their business from passing trade and by referral, and they may advertise locally or attend trade fairs or similar. Those that do have web sites often gear them towards selling the standard products that they make, not at explaining what manufacturing capabilities they have that could also make different products. If we want to move towards a world where more products are made close to the point of use, we need to change this. This is why Make Works is such an important project – they toured Scotland, visiting all kinds of manufacturers and material suppliers, and collecting informat