I was surprised to see almost no small manufacturers in a small business competition being run by a radio station in Johannesburg. Where are all the small manufacturing businesses? Why don’t small manufacturers enter these competitions?
Look, I’m not saying the entrants aren’t innovative but they mainly comprise service businesses. A household cleaning firm, gas servicing company, holistic massage salon, restaurant and financial adviser business all have their merit but what about the “real” economy of manufactured products?
No doubt we are in a service economy but without small manufacturing you don’t have the opportunity for exports and higher levels of job creation. How far do we want to go down the road of deindustrialisation? A developing country can’t go as far down that road as the UK has done. Continue reading “Do you have an idea for a small manufacturing business?”
