Building Capitalism One Alternator at a Time

Description

A true story of changing times and determined individuals, as recalled by a Lithuanian-American committed to improving the economic conditions in his native land. The author’s first visit to Lithuania after 48 years confirms his worst suspicions about the near catastrophic economy, which is the legacy of Communism and the Soviet occupation. He is determined to put his skills in manufacturing engineering to work in helping to reverse the stagnant economy by introducing new technology and training people to use it. He and an American partner form a joint venture with a Lithuanian firm to mass produce automotive alternator rotors and other components, using new technology. The established, but shaky, joint venture starts production but its forward progress is stymied by a number of factors, including a chaotic privatization process, the government’s lack of initiative and counterproductive policies. Will the author and his colleagues find ways to realize their objective of helping the country get back on its economic feet and become a world-class producer of alternator rotors?