I am in the early stages of setting up a kitchen cabinet manufacturing facility in one of the free zones . I was wondering in the opinion of this form what would be best location. In talking with my shipping agent the Santiago area was their location of choice. Any thoughts on this option ?
- Thread starter mbain
- Start date
Free Zone Manufacturing
Maybe I am offtrack, but there are 10 Free Zones in Santo Domingo, 4 ports within 20 miles of anywhere in the Santo Domingo area, several shipping lines serving most US and European ports, a population of about 3 million from which to find a work force, and a good transportation system to get them to your plant.
Santiago may be best
Santiago, the nation's second largest city, has a huge, excellent main Free Zone and several other minor ones. It also has a good labor force and the Puerto Plata port is one hour away while the Haina/Santo Domingo port is 2 hours away.
mbain said:
Santiago, the nation's second largest city, has a huge, excellent main Free Zone and several other minor ones. It also has a good labor force and the Puerto Plata port is one hour away while the Haina/Santo Domingo port is 2 hours away.
mbain said:
The reason for Santiago being the location of choice, is possibly that Puerto Plata traditionally has less problems around it as a port of entry. I know that our shipping agents also preferred using Puerto Plata and locating in Santiago for easier shipping.
Santiago is an excellent place to locate
First of all the work force is very solid.
Next, the free zone is well run, and you have a choice of several. You can shoose which one.
Even though Santo Domingo is closer to a shipping point, in terms of time it is the same as Santiago.
The quality of life issue is also a factor. For supervisory personnel, it is nicer to live in Santiago.
Oh yeah, I happen to live here, too....
And Wales? You can't purchase stuff from the free zone.
HB
First of all the work force is very solid.
Next, the free zone is well run, and you have a choice of several. You can shoose which one.
Even though Santo Domingo is closer to a shipping point, in terms of time it is the same as Santiago.
The quality of life issue is also a factor. For supervisory personnel, it is nicer to live in Santiago.
Oh yeah, I happen to live here, too....
And Wales? You can't purchase stuff from the free zone.
HB
Kitchens
Well !! Upon revue, maybe the offer is from someone else!! I'm still looking for a good kitchen manufacturer. Is he really going to try and export kitchen cabinets. Good Luck. My kitchen here in Canada is Oak and real gourmet- self designed - Cost $4,000.oo US plus appliances. What is it going to cost me in the DR.
PS. We are very particular
Wales said:
Well !! Upon revue, maybe the offer is from someone else!! I'm still looking for a good kitchen manufacturer. Is he really going to try and export kitchen cabinets. Good Luck. My kitchen here in Canada is Oak and real gourmet- self designed - Cost $4,000.oo US plus appliances. What is it going to cost me in the DR.
PS. We are very particular
I would find it really hard to top the new port at Caucedo, and the costs have been the same that we were paying at Haina.
I have never relied much on what a shipping agent says here, mainly because they usually tell you what is good for them, there are dozens of shipping agents around, and there is usually another good one just around the next corner....
The destination shipping agency handling your Customs clearances into the US are FAR more important than the shipping people are in the DR, who are just concerned with getting it on the boat.
One thing you should check out with your agent on the US end, mbain, are the requirements and procedures needed for shipping wood or wood products into the US by US Customs and the USDA.
PS- A Free Zone company is allowed to sell product into the DR, but it's a pain in the *ss, and the normal Customs duties must be paid before it leaves the Free Zone.
suerte.
I have never relied much on what a shipping agent says here, mainly because they usually tell you what is good for them, there are dozens of shipping agents around, and there is usually another good one just around the next corner....
The destination shipping agency handling your Customs clearances into the US are FAR more important than the shipping people are in the DR, who are just concerned with getting it on the boat.
One thing you should check out with your agent on the US end, mbain, are the requirements and procedures needed for shipping wood or wood products into the US by US Customs and the USDA.
PS- A Free Zone company is allowed to sell product into the DR, but it's a pain in the *ss, and the normal Customs duties must be paid before it leaves the Free Zone.
suerte.
Well thanks guys. It was Tropical i was talking to so it sounds like they weren't to far off with what they said. As far as selling you all kitchens i'd be glad to come October when this thing gets off the ground. I'm up here in Canada working out the final details. I'd be glad to here any other advise you have to offer. I lived in the D.R. for six months last year near Puerto Plata so i have a general idea how to get things done but most of you seem to have some good advise.
Will you get oak in the DR?
......and if you do, how will it cope with the climate? I ask because most up market kitchens here (in the DR) are made of mahogany, either indigenous or imported.Wales said:
mbain said:
Tropical has always given us a good service.
mbain, are you sure that you have the ftz permissions from the consejo to be able to sell into the DR?
I'm not selling to the D.R. . I have several large retailers in southern Florida and Ontario that i currently sell to that are anxiously awaiting my new line of cabinetry. I will not be offering solid wood cabinet doors for now only thermofoil doors. They come in a wide variety of styles and colours and require no finishing so climate is not an issue.
Wow, what is the price of a new car?Wales said:
Don't you think it has to do with how many running feet of cabinets you have? 4k US is chump change for a Kitchen in the US unless it is 4 ft wide.
Scott
Kitchens
I'll bring a picture when we come. It is solid oak, very large island with double side cupboards, total footage 31 feet excluding the other side of the island, if your with me. Built in Microwave, walloven, dishwasher, surface hob, lazy susan etc etc. All appliances and sink, tweeny were extra. Mind you that was 1993!!!!. Anew car I paid last year nearly $40,000.00 Can$ for a Monte Carlo SS with everything on it including Onstar and I think five years bumper to bumper warranty? I'm bringing it with me!!Escott said:
Leave the car home. You won't be happy with it in the DR. You paid 40k for a Monte Carlo? Man!Wales said:
If you paid 4k US for that Kitchen I will buy 100 if you can get me them for that price. I actually don't believe it.
Scott
Just try it
Mr. Wales has some strange ideas, Escott, I wouldn't take them too seriously.
As Chris has intimated, you can sell stuff out of the Free Zone, but ?is it ever, ever worth the hassle? The headaches are far greater than any savings might be.
But, hey, you seem to know more than I do so go ahead, I mean I have only been here for over 40 years and have "seen it and done it" more times than you ever will.
Folks, I obviously do not like Mr Wales because he is very self centered and a know it all. Worse, I have the proof.
HB
Mr. Wales has some strange ideas, Escott, I wouldn't take them too seriously.
As Chris has intimated, you can sell stuff out of the Free Zone, but ?is it ever, ever worth the hassle? The headaches are far greater than any savings might be.
But, hey, you seem to know more than I do so go ahead, I mean I have only been here for over 40 years and have "seen it and done it" more times than you ever will.
Folks, I obviously do not like Mr Wales because he is very self centered and a know it all. Worse, I have the proof.
HB
Free Zone
I find your post extremely offensive/unnecessary/without foundation/ just because you could not provide plans for a brick barbecue but had to brag about how many people you can fit into some attic apartment. If you look in the thread " can you live on" you'll see someone shares a one bedroom with 32 people. Is that you under a pseudonym? If you have lived there 40 years you've missed your education. I've lived in many countries around the World but decided to retire in The Dominican Republic. We will not need your advice assistance or your company.
Hillbilly said:
I find your post extremely offensive/unnecessary/without foundation/ just because you could not provide plans for a brick barbecue but had to brag about how many people you can fit into some attic apartment. If you look in the thread " can you live on" you'll see someone shares a one bedroom with 32 people. Is that you under a pseudonym? If you have lived there 40 years you've missed your education. I've lived in many countries around the World but decided to retire in The Dominican Republic. We will not need your advice assistance or your company.