Carlyle Wrenches - Made in China?

[Brett in KS]

I wanted to upgrade my large combination wrenches from gearwrench to Carlyle, I already have a couple sets up to 1 1/4, so I bought some individual wrenches up to 1 1/2. I cut the tag/sticker off the 1 1/2, it came off like normal, not actually stuck to the wrench, just wrapped around and stuck back on itself.
Then reached for the 1 7/16 and man, that sticker was stuck all the way around the wrench. The kind where you got to work to get all the residue off. I thought thats really odd for carlyle, so I looked at the tags. The 1 1/2 is made in Taiwan, the 1 7/16 through 1 5/16 wrenches are China! When did that start?

The lettering size is different, and the China wrenches dont have the registered "R" by the Napa logo.

Really been buying quite a bit of Carlyle lately, really like their tools. I thought all the wrenches (and most everything) was made in Taiwan?

 

[BTJHP]

I know the Infar non-slip only go up to certain size but they may only be in certain increments also like 1-1/4 and 1-1/2.

 

[Toold_up]

I'm pretty sure the "one china" initiative forced tiawanees companies to drop the "made in tiawan" in favor of mainland china.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think NAPA switched suppliers. Too Bad, I really like the Taiwan Made Carlyle tools I own.

 

[Steve_P]

I'm pretty sure the "one china" initiative forced tiawanees companies to drop the "made in tiawan" in favor of mainland china.

I understand that China considers Taiwan part of China, but do you have any proof of this? If this is true, it must've happened in the last few weeks or months. While China does consider Taiwan to be part of China, Taiwan is also fiercely independent; I can't see them going for this without it making recent news. Which I may have missed .

 

[BrandonV]

I understand that China considers Taiwan part of China, but do you have any proof of this? If this is true, it must've happened in the last few weeks or months. While China does consider Taiwan to be part of China, Taiwan is also fiercely independent; I can't see them going for this without it making recent news. Which I may have missed .

The reason I know this can't be true is because the Chinese wrench looks like trash compared to the one made in Taiwan.

It's clear they didn't just change the COO on the label in name only.

 

[dchawk81]

This is an example of why NAPA can't be trusted.

 

[Toold_up]

Apple asks suppliers in Taiwan to label products as made in China – report

Nikkei says firm wants components bound for mainland to now comply with longstanding Beijing rule

www.theguardian.com

www.globaltimes.cn/page/202208/1272331.shtml

China is destroying imports that say 'Made in Taiwan' as part of its massive political crackdown

The news comes days after China pressured international companies, including Zara, Marriott, and Delta Air Lines, to change the way they reference Taiwan.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[woody 73]

Very interesting, my Carlyle tools were made in Taiwan to the best of my knowledge, this is the first I am hearing about this news. I do trust Napa, so I need more information before I jump ship.

 

[Beauregard]

In small towns, NAPA is often the go-to for parts and quality line tools. The other choices are Wal-Mart or Amazon.
Please expand on NAPA not being trustworthy.
They have economy tools and parts available to serve the budget shoppers, but are their premium products no longer good?

 

[dchawk81]

In small towns, NAPA is often the go-to for parts and quality line tools. The other choices are Wal-Mart or Amazon.
Please expand on NAPA not being trustworthy.
They have economy tools and parts available to serve the budget shoppers, but are their premium products no longer good?

I don't trust anything that sponsors NASCAR.

 

[lardy1]

I like my Carlyle tools and there are many more I'm interested in. They did well with that line. Problem (as I see it) is NAPA's long history of introducing quality tool lines then abandoning them (think New Britain and Apex). I just never know what to expect from them and the NAPA's that are still in business around here hire counter jockies that specialize in not knowing a damned thing about the Carlyle line and acting like I'm a bother if I ask.

I've bought most of my Carlyle tools online. Too bad they can't standardize their marketing and stick with a good line once it's established.

 

[zendriver]

Maybe the Chinese versions, will get the job done, as well.

NAPA is an auto parts chain (not a tools store) and from what I can tell on the rare visit ( they have been exiled to the end of the poor side of town), people seem to get their parts from somewhere else.

They might be doing what they need to stay in business, since no matter the tool, people shop for the lowest price.

Maybe NAPA wil be gone someday and we'll blame it on bad management.

 

[Brett in KS]

In small towns, NAPA is often the go-to for parts and quality line tools. The other choices are Wal-Mart or Amazon.
Please expand on NAPA not being trustworthy.
They have economy tools and parts available to serve the budget shoppers, but are their premium products no longer good?

My NAPA is in a town of 4k people, so I know everyone that works there. They have a good selection of Carlyle, but being a small town, I don't think tools sell incredibly fast. Our locally owned store was recently purchased by younger guy, so I'm doing my best to do all my parts/tool buying there to support him.
NAPA is pretty much our only source of quality tools. The ACE hardware carries craftsman, and we've got a tractor supply, but thats it for tools, and those are all pretty much lower end china stuff.

I'm hoping these big china wrenches are a rarity. They probably dont sell many 1 5/16, 1 3/8, 1 7/16 any way.

I did notice on the tags that the 1 1/2" (Taiwan) was "Manufactured for Belkamp, Plainfield IN"
the (china) 1 5/16, 1 3/8, 1 7/16 said "Distributed by Genuine Parts Company, Atlanta GA"

 

[nbpt100]

Maybe the Chinese versions, will get the job done, as well.

NAPA is an auto parts chain (not a tools store) and from what I can tell on the rare visit ( they have been exiled to the end of the poor side of town), people seem to get their parts from somewhere else.

They might be doing what they need to stay in business, since no matter the tool, people shop for the lowest price.

Maybe NAPA wil be gone someday and we'll blame it on bad management.

Many NAPA stores are franchises. I have 3 near me and they all vary quite a bit. They have access to all the same parts. The one with local ownership has the best service. They also carry other items like Red Line and Amsoil giving customers more choices. They also loan tools. Another one of them is part of a local auto parts chain of NAPA's that is run out of NH. That store always has trouble keeping help and the long time manager is run ragged. My point is the local stores can vary quite a bit. NAPA is a large company and I would not judge the Corporate management a lot by an experience at one or two stores. I am not saying they have good or bad management. I am just saying with franchised stores your experience can vary dramatically from store to store. As far as going to China I see it as a natural progression. But still disappointing. The one store near me that displayed Carlyle tools has been showing less and less since the pandemic. I did ask the counter jockey and he said they do not sell very well so they are not using up floor space on them. They have been bringing in Craftsman, Milwaukee and Gear Wrench. Much of their portfolios are made in China.

Hasn't Home depot moved its Husky wrenches to India from China as a cost savings?

 

[zendriver]

Many NAPA stores are franchises. I have 3 near me and they all vary quite a bit. They have access to all the same parts. The one with local ownership has the best service. They also carry other items like Red Line and Amsoil giving customers more choices. They also loan tools. Another one of them is part of a local auto parts chain of NAPA's that is run out of NH. That store always has trouble keeping help and the long time manager is run ragged. My point is the local stores can vary quite a bit. NAPA is a large company and I would not judge the Corporate management a lot by an experience at one or two stores. I am not saying they have good or bad management. I am just saying with franchised stores your experience can vary dramatically from store to store. As far as going to China I see it as a natural progression. But still disappointing. The one store near me that displayed Carlyle tools has been showing less and less since the pandemic. I did ask the counter jockey and he said they do not sell very well so they are not using up floor space on them. They have been bringing in Craftsman, Milwaukee and Gear Wrench. Much of their portfolios are made in China.

Hasn't Home depot moved its Husky wrenches to India from China as a cost savings?

I have nothing against the franchise, it just seems in my area they are way overshadowed, by chains like Autozone and O'reilly likely for many different reasons.

Seems like NAPA is become a local "last resort" if someone needs something quick, that they would otherwise purchased cheaper online, of if someone needs something unusual, the huge chain don't have locally.

Not the best business situation for longevity, but one that exists apparently. A set of Carlyle is $130 whereas a competitive priced set on Amazon is $30

 

[liliysdad]

In this part of the world, NAPA owns the commercial market. Every mechanic buys their parts from them, every government and fleet shop uses them almost exclusively. Their parts catalog is considerably more diverse than the other chains, especially in the heavy duty, industrial, and agricultural arenas.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Maybe they switched when they couldn’t hold any stock during Covid. NAPA was absolutely rocked by supplier shortages and I wouldn’t be surprised if they bailed on Taiwan to get a better, more readily available Chinese supplier. Totally ***** because some of my Taiwan Carlyle stuff is top notch.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Apple asks suppliers in Taiwan to label products as made in China – report

Nikkei says firm wants components bound for mainland to now comply with longstanding Beijing rule

www.theguardian.com

www.globaltimes.cn/page/202208/1272331.shtml

China is destroying imports that say 'Made in Taiwan' as part of its massive political crackdown

The news comes days after China pressured international companies, including Zara, Marriott, and Delta Air Lines, to change the way they reference Taiwan.

www.businessinsider.com

That's only for products going to China, as they generally reject Made in Taiwan labeled products. Items going to US are still labeled with the correct country of origin.

 

[rooster59]

Be thankful they’re not made in Pakistan

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I was thoroughly unimpressed with my Taiwanese Carlyle wrenches, so I doubt these will be a downgrade. Interesting to see them switching up, perhaps the entirely line will be moving that direction. IMO here on GJ there was always a sentiment that the tools were too expensive.

 

[M6erfan]

Carlyle seemed to be getting their act together pre covid. List price, the tools were relatively expensive, but they had great quarterly sales. Has that stopped?

 

[Toold_up]

That's only for products going to China, as they generally reject Made in Taiwan labeled products. Items going to US are still labeled with the correct country of origin.

Oh really?

So when the chinese govt approaches apple all gangster like:

Yeah see, you've got this successful business see, and most of your products depend on chips from us see... We don't like the **** you are getting form tiawan see. I'd be a shame if something would happen to your supply lines form us see... We'd hate for your most profitable lines of business to become... unprofitable... see... So heres what you're gonna do see. Ask them to drop the line "made in tiawan" and put "made in china" instead. Simple, see.

 

[Brett in KS]

Carlyle seemed to be getting their act together pre covid. List price, the tools were relatively expensive, but they had great quarterly sales. Has that stopped?

Most Carlyle tools are on sale this quarter. $30 ratchets, 8 piece screwdriver set is $45, etc. All of the tools on the display board at my local NAPA have a red sale tag. Thats why I've been trying to upgrade from my old gearwrench stuff, seems like a good time with their tools a "cheap" as they've been in quite a while.

 

[IRQVET]

Taiwan is not China, no matter what people say . . .

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Most Carlyle tools are on sale this quarter. $30 ratchets, 8 piece screwdriver set is $45, etc. All of the tools on the display board at my local NAPA have a red sale tag. Thats why I've been trying to upgrade from my old gearwrench stuff, seems like a good time with their tools a "cheap" as they've been in quite a while.

My local NAPA has all the Carlyle on red tag also, unfortunately none of the ratchets I wanted to check out. They also had all their Craftsman inventory on the clearance tables.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Not a bad price $130

 

[Sal Bandini]

Oh really?

So when the chinese govt approaches apple all gangster like:

Yeah see, you've got this successful business see, and most of your products depend on chips from us see... We don't like the **** you are getting form tiawan see. I'd be a shame if something would happen to your supply lines form us see... We'd hate for your most profitable lines of business to become... unprofitable... see... So heres what you're gonna do see. Ask them to drop the line "made in tiawan" and put "made in china" instead. Simple, see.

Yes really.

This is only for parts coming into China from Taiwan. Those parts will be used to manufacture "Made in China" Apple products. It has nothing do with products made in Taiwan going to other parts of the world, so the tools made in Taiwan that are going to USA will still say "Made in Taiwan".

I have dealt with this on some of the products we made.

 

[Toold_up]

Yes really.

This is only for parts coming into China from Taiwan. Those parts will be used to manufacture "Made in China" Apple products. It has nothing do with products made in Taiwan going to other parts of the world, so the tools made in Taiwan that are going to USA will still say "Made in Taiwan".

I have dealt with this on some of the products we made.

You work for apple?

 

[Sal Bandini]

You work for apple?

A quick search will confirm this rule, and this is also nothing new. China has always given trouble to products in customs labeled "Made in Taiwan".

Apple warns suppliers to follow China rules on 'Taiwan' labeling

Stepped up scrutiny of import documents raises disruption fears for iPhone maker

asia.nikkei.com

Apple has asked suppliers to ensure that shipments from Taiwan to China strictly comply with Chinese customs regulations

Apple told suppliers on Friday that China has started strictly enforcing a long-standing rule that Taiwanese-made parts and components must be labeled as being made either in "Taiwan, China" or "Chinese Taipei,"

Using the phrase "Made in Taiwan" on any import declaration forms, documents or cartons could cause shipments to be held and checked by Chinese customs,

This presents a dilemma for suppliers who need to ship materials, components or parts from Taiwan to China, however, as the democratically governed island also requests that all exports be labeled with product of origin, which means they must carry the words "Taiwan" or "Republic of China," the island's official name, according to suppliers and logistics companies.

Apple's warning comes after shipments from Taiwan to one of iPhone assembler Pegatron's facilities in China were held for review

To avoid any shipping chaos and further supply chain disruptions, Apple has also told suppliers to form contingency plans or quickly review and amend their labels on cartons and forms for shipments from Taiwan to China

The increased scrutiny of shipments to Pegatron's Suzhou facility came a day after a senior Pegatron executive...



It's Taiwan to China, real simple. Products, components, and parts going to other countries are not affected, as China has no jurisdiction over other countries' customs enforcement.

To suggest that Carlyle may have changed the COO wording to Made in China over this China customs requirement is wrong.

 

[lardy1]

With all the supply issues and the fact that it's NAPA, anything is possible.

 

[BrandonV]

It's Taiwan to China, real simple. Products, components, and parts going to other countries are not affected, as China has no jurisdiction over other countries' customs enforcement.

To suggest that Carlyle may have changed the COO wording to Made in China over this China customs requirement is wrong.

It would be a pride thing too. No way Taiwan is going to mark tools China for the rest of the world. That's an insult to them.

Reminds me of how Beretta still marks guns just for California with different labeling (Maryland) since they've moved their manufacturing plant to Tennessee because of how the California DOJ requirement is written.