New trade policies and the modern global supply chain have made the semi-knocked-down (SKD) and completely knocked down (CKD) strategies ubiquitous in the personal care small appliance market. These methods of assembling products enable manufacturers to cut costs and logistically place the products while fulfilling local mandates which makes these models strategically ideal for exporters.
With the increasing protectionist policies in multiple regions and the introduced import duties, the SKD and CKD models are being adopted by businesses to reduce tariff costs. Manufacturers are utilizing the semi assembled or disassembled export model to classify their products under different trade regulations which may reduce import tariff on goods. Local assembly plant establishments by companies are also incentivized by several governments which pushes for these models to be used more often.
The US and parts of Europe as well as India have installed new tariffs on fully assembled electrical appliances while lifting or lowering duties on component imports. This has resulted in many exporters from China and Southeast Asia changing their export plans in order to stay competitive in those regions.
Consumer preferences differ greatly between regions, hence localize assembly. This practive has seen adoption across several countries as a strategy to locally boost employment and technological growth, which encourages foreign companies to build final assembly factories in the markets they are targeting.
For example, CKD assembly is becoming more popular in the Midle East and African region due to government initiatives directed towards developing local industries. Personal care equipment such as hair clippers, shavers, and hairdryers are exported under these initiatives to minimize taxes and make importing easier, all while expanding into new markets.
By making this effort is gives better flexibility to the supply chains in the use of SKD and CKD models. Rather than having to focus on one central hub for manufacturing, companies can easily distribute the production which can help prevent complications during the global supply chain difficulties such as that caused by COVID-19.
Moreover, the shift of implementing single country deregulation policies will always come with a fair share of advantages and disadvantages. For example, it can reduce China’s geopolitical risks as manufacturers have started supplying parts to Vietnam, Malaysia, and India for assembly before exporting to Western countries.
Local assembly facilitates technology transfer, assisting international firms in strengthening relationships with local partners. Assembling and servicing personal care appliances in target markets through CKD processes leads to sustainable training of skilled personnel and market penetration.
For brands collaborating with retail powerhouses like Carrefour and Walmart, SKD and CKD methods help preserve quality while fulfilling the logistical and regulatory requirements of diverse regions. This enables the development of specialized products for different markets.
The move towards sustainability is undoubtedly having effects on the transition to SKD and CKD models. Manufacturers reduce waste, packaging, and carbon emissions with the transportation of disassembled products. Furthermore, bulk shipments require less space and result in more cost-efficient logistics than fully assembled products, resulting in less carbon emissions.
Local assembly further promotes the sourcing of locally manufactured parts and products thus reducing the distance that cargo ships travel and furthering sustainable manufacturing efforts. Brands with sustainability in their core values are more willing to adopt SKD and CKD methodologies to comply with regulations and expectations set by environmentally conscious consumers.
In spite of their benefits, SKD and CKD models have their downsides too. These are:
With the advancement of globalization, international relations, and multi-national corporations, SKD has been playing an integral role in the personal care small appliances industry. Now, as competition increases, manufacturers must analyze their SKD and CKD export plans for markets effectively while meeting the shortcomings associated with them. Focus on localization, sustainability, and resilience is growing. Therefore, SKD and CKD will continue to influence the industry’s future.