Made in the USA

[mitt]

I believe that you can't label things made in the US if they are made in MX.  That is at least the way we operate.

mitt

[Monster Dave]

I agree.

Thinking about this topic makes me feel like this:



Though, I should probably say that where we live (in the USA) there's an awful lot of influence from south of the border that makes me feel overwhelmed this way.

[Langanobob]

I believe that you can't label things made in the US if they are made in MX.  That is at least the way we operate.

mitt

It does get kind of confusing with labels like "Assembled in USA of parts originating in China or Taiwan"  Or just "Assembled in USA" rather than Made in USA.  There used to be a pretty much iron-clad law that products had to be marked with the country of origin but I see more and more products with no country markings at all, particularly hand tools.

It may already be too late, but before we can make a complete and lasting economic recovery we need to do something about the hemorrhaging of USA manufacturing jobs to China.  I've worked for and with several foreign corporations and they are like us in that the employees want to of course further their own careers and make money for themselves and their company.  

But underlying all of it is their desire to bring money back to their home countries.  That is where it seems to me that US corporations have gone off track, all they want is short term profit, seemingly at the expense of their own labor force and their own countries overall benefit.  There isn't a simple solution, but we the people, and our government don't seem to be doing much of anything at all to  change anything.  I'm way out of my element but it seems like some revising of the tax laws are in order.

[Monster Dave]

It does get kind of confusing with labels like "Assembled in USA of parts originating in China or Taiwan"  Or just "Assembled in USA" rather than Made in USA.  There used to be a pretty much iron-clad law that products had to be marked with the country of origin but I see more and more products with no country markings at all, particularly hand tools.

It may already be too late, but before we can make a complete and lasting economic recovery we need to do something about the hemorrhaging of USA manufacturing jobs to China.  I've worked for and with several foreign corporations and they are like us in that the employees want to of course further their own careers and make money for themselves and their company.  

But underlying all of it is their desire to bring money back to their home countries.  That is where it seems to me that US corporations have gone off track, all they want is short term profit, seemingly at the expense of their own labor force and their own countries overall benefit.  There isn't a simple solution, but we the people, and our government don't seem to be doing much of anything at all to  change anything.  I'm way out of my element but it seems like some revising of the tax laws are in order.

Well put. 

[cyrus buelton]

I believe that you can't label things made in the US if they are made in MX.  That is at least the way we operate.

mitt

All of our injected molded parts are made here in Dublin, Ohio. Average wage is 15$ an hour

shipped down to Mexico for assembly. Average wage 2.30$ an hour


No brainer to me, but I am a finance person.


Packages are labeled "assembled in mexico"

[il d00d]

It is funny how the reputation of a country's manufacturing output evolves.  Back in the 80s, the low-end Fender guitars were made in Japan.  Since it was the 80s, this meant they were automatically shitty by merit of their country of origin.  Now you will see people selling them on the basis of "MIJ, not that Chinese or Mexican crap".  And Japan seems to be the standard-bearer for car quality now - their reputation was much different 20-30 years ago.

So, I wonder if Korea will be the next Japan, since Hyundai seems to have improved dramatically in quality, with offerings like the new Genesis.

[mitt]

All of our injected molded parts are made here in Dublin, Ohio. Average wage is 15$ an hour

shipped down to Mexico for assembly. Average wage 2.30$ an hour


No brainer to me, but I am a finance person.


Packages are labeled "assembled in mexico"

Right, but continue the trend for another 50 years, and who will have money left to spend in the US if there are no jobs other than pushing papers?

Why not move outsource our molding outside the US - it would be cheaper and less transportation cost. Why not move your IT group there too?  You get my idea what I am getting at.  I see the writing on the wall where I work, and we have already done these things.  Next HR, and then

mitt

[mitt]

So, I wonder if Korea will be the next Japan, since Hyundai seems to have improved dramatically in quality, with offerings like the new Genesis.

Short answer, in my opinion, is yes. 

mitt

[corey]

To me, made in the USA means QUALITY.
I know a lot of folks will disagree, and with some products they are right.
But with a lot of products, made in the USA is a sign of hand-made quality, and attentiveness to detail... And a higher price tag, for some reason.

Things i buy made in the U.S.A... Lucky Jeans... Wolverine Boots (Check out the new 1000 Mile boot, its a repro of an old era boot from original patterns)... FORD.

best wallet i ever bought was hand made in NYC. Still have it.
we need more manufacturing, period.

[Buckethead]

Most Made in the USA products that I buy are going to be "boutique" items at the premium end of the spectrum. Taylor guitars and Allen Edmonds shoes come to mind. That said, I veiw these types of things as more of an investment. I'll drop $50 on a pair of foreign-made (China, as that's where >90% of all shoes are made) sneakers that will last me 2-3 years. I have 3 pair of AE shoes that were made in Lewiston, ME. The "cheapest" of which were $135 or so even at a 50% discount because they were last year's model. I'll have to have them re-soled eventually, but those shoes will last stand up to 10 years of everyday use. I'm willing to pay a premium for higher quality and durability.

That said, I like my tequila to be from Mexico, my cigars from the Dominican Republic, and my bikes from Italy.

[il d00d]

Short answer, in my opinion, is yes.  

mitt

I tend to think so too.  I didn't know anything about Hyundai until I watched a thing on North Korea - Hyundai makes damn near everything in South Korea and is pretty eager to have a larger labor pool.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Heavy_Industries
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/25/business/worldbusiness/25iht-hyundai.html

[mitt]

Hyundia and Samsung are crazy big and smart and disciplined.

mitt

[Randimus Maximus]

Don't forget Subaru (owned by Toyota), BMW, and Mercedes.  They all make some of their models in the US.  

I try to buy USA made products, but sometimes, unfortunately other countries make better comparable products.  Quality is more important to me than country of origin.  

Only a small portion of Subaru is owned by Toyota...15% or so.

And yes, the Koreans are really shaping up to be a juggernaut to be reckoned with.  They too, are now manufacturing cars here in the USA.

[He Man]

I picked my compressor based on how american made it was. To me it ment quality, warranty and customer support.

[Betty Rage]

We purchased a crib that was made here, we felt good about that. The stroller we bought (B.O.B.) we THOUGHT was made here but we were disappointed to learn otherwise, which sucks because those strollers were not cheap. We could have bought an italian made one for the same price. Most of our kid's toys are wooden and/or made here. I've compared those toys vs. plastic ones made in China and I have to say the quality difference is huge. His mobile he had as an infant was plastic and made in China and we had to return it due to defects 3 times. The only reason we didn't get a different one was because he LOVED that one.

I found an interesting blog you guys might like: http://madeinusablog.wordpress.com/
Looks like he posts about different products he's bought that were legitimately made here and posts when it's fake. Lots of good links on buying american made products.