VOA慢速英语:Maker's Row: Made in America

Manufacturing is an important industry in the United States.However, for many years, Americans have expressed fear that the industry is in decline.
制造业是美国非常重要的产业。然而，这些年来美国人一直为制造业下降的状况担忧。

In the late 19th to middle 20th century, America stood as the industrial powerhouse of the world.Consumers sought the latest American-made products, from cars to refrigerators to televisions.
19世纪末至20世纪中期，美国成为世界工业强国。消费者可以在美国找到任何最新的美国制造的产品，从汽车到冰箱到电视机。

But, things began to change in the late 1970s.Japan and China caught up with the U.S. in the production of many consumer goods.Today, China is a manufacturing powerhouse itself.It produces about 80 percent of the world’s air conditioners, 70 percent of its mobile phones and 60 percent of its shoes.Chinese products represent almost half of all the goods made in the world.
但是，二十世纪七十年代末情况开始发生变化。日本和中国在制造业方面渐渐与美国比肩。如今中国本身就是制造业强国。中国生产了世界上80%的空调，70%的手机以及60%的鞋子。中国的产品几乎代表了世界上一半的商品。

And, now in the United States, it can be difficult to find a manufacturer to help develop a product.
如今在美国，很难找到协助生产商品的制造商。

Matthew Burnett knows this all too well.The American businessman started a watch company in 2007.At first, he had overseas manufacturers make all his products.As a result, Burnett often faced shipping delays, a lack of quality control, and time zone issues.
Matthew Burnett对此非常了解。他是一名美国商人，2007年创办了手表公司。最初，他委托海外制造商帮其制作产品。结果，Burnett经常面临运送推迟、缺乏质量控制以及时差问题。

Later, he expanded into leather goods.Still, he struggled to find domestic factories to make the wallets, belts, and other products of his new brand.
之后，他扩大至从事皮革生意。但他在寻找国内工厂制造钱包、腰带和新品牌的其他产品上遇到难题。

And he was not alone.Many American entrepreneurs found it easier to go out of the country for manufacturing.There was no central marketplace for the industry.
并非他一人对此问题头疼。很多美国企业家发现去国外寻找制造商要容易得多。国内没有制造业的市场。

So, Matthew Burnett, and his business partner Tanya Menendez, created one.They called it Maker’s Row.
所以Matthew Burnett和他的生意伙伴Tanya Menendez决定开创制造业市场。他们建立了Maker’s Row。

Since 2012, the online marketplace has been connecting entrepreneurs with American manufacturers.
自2012年创办以来，这一在线市场将企业家与美国制造商联系起来。

Matthew Burnett explains.
Matthew Burnett解释说。

What we try to do at Maker’s Row is to encourage the brands to start producing in the United Statesso that you see more made in America products on the shelves.We used to produce 97 percent of the apparel that we consume here in the United States, today it’s less than three percent.So it makes it very challenging to find sometimes made in America products,but that’s the narrative we’re trying to shift, by bringing these brands back home to produce.
“我们建立Maker’s Row的目的，是想鼓励各大品牌在美国国内生产商品，这样你可以在货架上看到更多美国制造的产品。过去我们在美国消费的衣物中97%都是美国制造，而如今还不到3%。所以找到美国制造的产品都变得颇具挑战性。但这就是我们想要改变的现状，把这些品牌带回国内自己生产。“

Makersrow.com also helps brands and businesses find and organize their supply chains.
Makersrow.com帮助各大品牌寻找和整理自己的供应链。

A manufacturer pays a monthly fee to be listed on the site.It includes project planning software and a search feature.Manufacturers can also receive factory bids through the site.
制造商支付一个月的费用在网站上进行展示。其中包含项目设计软件和一个搜索功能。制造商可以通过网站接受工厂报价。

For an additional cost, entrepreneurs get additional support.
如果支付额外的费用，企业家还可以得到额外的支持。

Maker’s Row can be especially helpful to new or part-time entrepreneurs.The site can provide a plan for turning an idea into a business.
Maker’s Row对菜鸟企业家和兼职创业者的帮助尤其巨大。该网站可以为其提供商业计划，将好点子发展为产业。

And co-founder Tanya Menendez says Maker’s Row offers classes and training.
合伙人Tanya Menendez表示Maker’s Row还提供课程和培训。

We have an online academy so people can take free online courses.They’re designed for people with busy lifestyles.A lot of people that come to Maker’s Row start off working 9-to-5 and having this become like their side hustle so we cater to those entrepreneurs too and then we have project software where established businesses can organize all of their ideas in one place.
“我们有在线大学，人们可以接受免费在线培训。这些课程专门为商务繁忙的人士准备。很多关注Maker’s Row的人都是朝九晚五的上班族，忙里偷闲进行关注，所以我们也要照顾到这些企业家，因此我们提供项目软件，企业家们可以一次性整理自己的想法。”

Today, the Maker’s Row website has 80,000 registered users.
如今Maker’s Row有8万名注册用户。

The registration and fee structure to access the site helps ensure the users are serious about their business, Menendez says.
Menendez表示，注册和收费模式帮助用户重视自己的生意。

The BCG company in Boston advises businesses around the world.It estimates the average cost to manufacture goods in the U.S. is only five-percent higher than in China.And the company predicts that by 2018 the cost difference will narrow further, to as little as two percent higher.
波士顿的BCG公司为全球商业提供咨询服务。据其预计，在美国制造商品的成品仅比中国高5%。该公司还预计，至2018年两国的成本差距还会进一步缩小，有可能缩小至2%。

Maker’s Row and other similar efforts could play a big part in making that prediction come true.
Maker’s Row及其他类似的尝试为这一预测提供极大推力。

I’m Marsha James.
Marsha James为您报道。