But one of Bristol's biggest success stories has decided the time is right to bring its manufacturing back to these shores.
Rob Law, the man behind the incredibly successful Trunki children's suitcase, has revealed that it no longer made financial sense to have his products made in China and then shipped to Europe.
As a result his distinctive children's suitcases, which have become a regular sight in airports across the world, will now be made in Devon and the first have already rolled off the production line.
Earlier this year David Cameron went on a mission to China with the hope of encouraging trade links between the two countries.
But Mr Law, whose firm has its headquarters in the Dings, has decided it is easier and more cost effective for him to have his cases made closer to home.
Mr Law out-sourced the production of his suitcases to China six years ago to save costs. But in the intervening period the cost of labour has tripled.
Inflation, the cost of shipping and India's rapidly growing economy forced him into the rethink.
Trunki will now be made at Inject Plastics in Devon and the firm is doubling its workforce to cope with the extra demand.
Mr Law said: "It has been a long-held dream of mine to make things back here.
"When we first set up that was not possible at all – it was just far too expensive – but a couple of big business things have changed recently; The devaluation of our sterling currency against the US dollar, the cost of labour in China keeps going up, and about 12 months ago I looked to see if it was possible to make our Trunki back in the UK again."
Mr Law said the cost of manufacturing in China was still generally cheaper than the UK but the rising costs of shipping stock around the world and other production issues has made the UK a much more attractive proposition for production.
Rob Law famously went on The BBC's Dragons' Den when he first launched the Trunki brand but was mauled by the Dragons.
Despite the setback his firm is one of the fastest growing in the South West and Trunki suitcases are now sold across the world.
As reported in the Post, Mr Law was made a CBE this year for his services to business. This week the firm also launched a suitcase designed to celebrate the hosting of this year's Olympics in London.
The patriotic case comes in the colours of the Union Jack flag.
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