Why Louis Vuitton chose this ranch south of Fort Worth for a factory

[Liberté]

But I find it curious how Americans view European things sometimes. Don't want to get too off-topic, but let's just say that Europeans aren't automatically cooth and not every handbag maker in France is a Hermes artisan with 20 years of experience. Business is business... Talented (and not talented!) people are everywhere, and where the material comes from often doesn't match where bags are put together anyway. And honestly in a handbag the actual material is arguably more important. Surprisingly separate part of the business, material supply.

Not to mention that parts of Europe (and the EU) are actually less controlled in terms of actual enforcement of labor regulations, corruption and organized crime than I would probably say any parts of the US mainland, this includes parts of Italy and not to mention the Balkans. I also don't want to sound too negative, LVMH is running a legitimate business and it is what it is. But I still think it's good to be aware of realities and forget about 50 year old craftsmen in a Haussmanian lofts with cobblers tools. There are independent states within the EU with such large scale corruption and organized crime that have been characterized as mafia state and if you count the Western Balkans, places that are hot spots for human trafficking. Labor is cheap there and so you will find sub-contractors (and perhaps especially sub-sub +contrators) in these areas for LVMH and kering, even if they should have relatively good control with the conditions at the sub contractors they use and avoid big issues.

Also a little context on salaries. The dollars is very strong right now. The minimum wage in France is about 1700 dollars a month and that is more than likely more or less what many workers at LVMH factories make, perhaps a little more depending on different circumstances. Given a 35 hour work week, that is about the same as 13 dollars an hour. In Spain, Portugal, Italy and not to mention Romania, wages in these jobs in general should be lower.

There are ateliers in Paris where bags are made, but these are mostly extremely small scale artisanal enterprises run by a few people. You can't run a huge luxury brand like that. Hermes does have a factory in Pantin which, for all intents and purposes, is in Paris (even if it's technically right outside of the city limits). In general, property prices are so high in Paris that there would have to be some very large economic advantage for the factory to be situated right there for it to make sense. It would be like opening a factory on Manhattan.

 

[mrceral]

I never wear rose colored glasses, but I'm a tad disappointed to hear that LV is basically making bags in sweatshops using entry level workers for $13 an hour. I've never been naive enough to think that I was paying for much besides the name, but I did always reflect on the fact that fair labor and skilled workers were being employed.They're getting a bit dragged for this on social media too, though in a day no one will care anymore and the world will move on.

Alas.

 

[LemonDrop]

I never wear rose colored glasses, but I'm a tad disappointed to hear that LV is basically making bags in sweatshops using entry level workers for $13 an hour. I've never been naive enough to think that I was paying for much besides the name, but I did always reflect on the fact that fair labor and skilled workers were being employed.They're getting a bit dragged for this on social media too, though in a day no one will care anymore and the world will move on.

Alas.

I don't like the direction LV is going in. Cheap land, cheap labor in an area that is known for not supporting unions, ribbon cuttings that make me go , trendy uninspired fast fashion.

 

[Swanky]

How is it considered a sweatshop?

 

[slang]

How is it considered a sweatshop?

Because the article posted references 2 employees fired for complaining about poor working conditions including having no air conditioning in the heat

 

[DrTr]

And to add to the change in the “luxury” mystique of a French company, go peek at The NY Times today. There was an article about a ribbon cutting at this plant by someone that doesn’t exactly scream luxury to me in fact just the opposite.

I’m all for good jobs, but I agree most of the $$ and profits will go to France, shareholders and old Arnault. Ah, capitalism. I’m guilty of participating as we all are and have to just to live and meet basic needs and some wants hopefully. But certain decisions or changes in luxury companies can lead to changes in who or how we buy.

 

[mrceral]

How is it considered a sweatshop?

Texas with no air conditioner lol

 

[V0N1B2]

I'm just surprised by the number of headlines touting "your next LV bag could be made in the USA" like they haven't had a factory in San Dimas for more than ten years now.

 

[lv_katie]

The funny part is for those of us in the US especially mainland, it is cheaper to buy in europe or hawaii

 

[sayakayumi]

I’m curious to see what level of quality they’ll be churning out, please don’t discourage members from posting their quality concerns, I want to see in great detail how the new “artisans” will be producing new items, and what quality control they have in place.

 

[lallybelle]

Texas with no air conditioner lol

A sweat shop. Literally.

I can't lie, I don't like the idea of non skilled workers. Plus cheap wages & bad conditions just don't sit well with me.

 

[MooMooVT]

LV bags have been made in the US for about 10 years and in Texas since 2017. The old factory with no air conditioning was replaced with this new one. I see no change in LV other than improving conditions and expanding an already producing factory. Fine if folks don't want to buy US made LV, but all this announcement does is promote expanding US jobs for a product already made in the US. More US jobs is a good thing, IMO, being a US (and Texas) resident. Who's to say the Texas workers any more or less skilled than the San Dimas workers? I'm sure those accepting these newly created jobs are glad to have an expanding employer who says they're offering healthcare, 401K, paid time off, etc.

Personally I'm not concerned where my bag is made if the quality is good. I have yet to notice a quality difference in CA, TX, or France made bags. (I don't have any from Italy or Spain) But to each their own.

 

[BleuSaphir]

LV bags have been made in the US for about 10 years and in Texas since 2017. The old factory with no air conditioning was replaced with this new one. I see no change in LV other than improving conditions and expanding an already producing factory. Fine if folks don't want to buy US made LV, but all this announcement does is promote expanding US jobs for a product already made in the US. More US jobs is a good thing, IMO, being a US (and Texas) resident. Who's to say the Texas workers any more or less skilled than the San Dimas workers? I'm sure those accepting these newly created jobs are glad to have an expanding employer who says they're offering healthcare, 401K, paid time off, etc.

Personally I'm not concerned where my bag is made if the quality is good. I have yet to notice a quality difference in CA, TX, or France made bags. (I don't have any from Italy or Spain) But to each their own.

LV has posted a video of their shoe factory, I think I remembered that their was a young French or Italian worker who admitted he had no experience of making shoes. Absolutely no experience of making shoes. But he LEARN on job and is proud of his work and achievements. My point of my post is to show people, no they are not always employing people with experience no matter where you live or who you are. If you want a job at LV-show your self worth. That all LV seem to care if are you willing to work, willing to learn more responsible as you go and able to do your task.

 

[MooMooVT]

LV has posted a video of their shoe factory, I think I remembered that their was a young French or Italian worker who admitted he had no experience of making shoes. Absolutely no experience of making shoes. But he LEARN on job and is proud of his work and achievements. My point of my post is to show people, no they are not always employing people with experience no matter where you live or who you are. If you want a job at LV-show your self worth. That all LV seem to care if are you willing to work, willing to learn more responsible as you go and able to do your task.

Agreed

 

[snibor]

LV bags have been made in the US for about 10 years and in Texas since 2017. The old factory with no air conditioning was replaced with this new one. I see no change in LV other than improving conditions and expanding an already producing factory. Fine if folks don't want to buy US made LV, but all this announcement does is promote expanding US jobs for a product already made in the US. More US jobs is a good thing, IMO, being a US (and Texas) resident. Who's to say the Texas workers any more or less skilled than the San Dimas workers? I'm sure those accepting these newly created jobs are glad to have an expanding employer who says they're offering healthcare, 401K, paid time off, etc.

Personally I'm not concerned where my bag is made if the quality is good. I have yet to notice a quality difference in CA, TX, or France made bags. (I don't have any from Italy or Spain) But to each their own.

I’m with you. I’m a proud American here. Been buying lv for many many years. Doesn’t matter to me what country the bag is made in. And I don’t believe this factory has no air conditioning. ***** was standing there in a suit and tie. Didn’t look sweaty to me. (Ugh).