The Indonesia Textile Association says that that small to medium-sized firms with outdated machinery are the most at risk.

Still others can be processed only on machinery so outdated that little of the necessary hardware remains.

Since then, much of the outdated machinery was removed from the Sterling Heights plant and replaced with "flexible" systems that can be adapted to future models.

Some work with outdated machinery.

"The old and cheap, outdated machinery is usually found in areas with populations that are of lower income, minorities, seniors on fixed incomes," Mr. Gore said.

The factory eventually closed due to cheap imports and outdated machinery and finally was looted to the ground.

Accidents caused by use of outdated or poorly-maintainted machinery are common, usually resulting in cuts to the fingers or hands, and sometimes amputation.

Opening in January 1833, its production was constrained by the outdated machinery salvaged from "Ye Olde Mint".

Binh Minh Enterprises still faces serious problems of outdated machinery and inefficient use of manpower, he said.

Due to management's inability to upgrade the equipment, the factory gradually lost customers due to aging and sometimes outdated machinery.