Tornado Alley (PROG)

[SoxFan]

there were only three countries and we already had a trade agreement with Canada signed by Reagan. We added Mexico in 1994 and at the same time factory automation was making significant improvement with the advent of the mini-computer. However long before NAFTA companies were trying to copy Japanese auto manufacturers and their Just-in-time processes. By the late 80's auto manufacturers in the US were facing significant competitive pressure from Japan and many auto plants were opened in Mexico. As a matter of fact the highest quality auto manufacturing plant in North America in the late 80's was in Mexico. NAFTA did little as automation and building overseas plants were well underway.