Mac closing Sabina Plant

[vssjim]

Smart bunch and we have people living here with easy access to top quality US made tools and they still buy Chinese ****.

I think that is because English government never stopped the rise of Asain imports or the decline of English companies. Most of their tool companies that made quality tools in England went under or were bought by companies that just ended production and imported tools, sound familiar???They seem to have the same problems we have just about twenty years in front of what we see here I hope some people are noticing what is going on and will turn the tide rather than just repeat history.

 

[vssjim]

Blackhawk - Don't forget them

USAG also came with the Facom purchase

 

[vssjim]

Goldblat also

 

[t100]

I suppose we can't talk about how great toptul and gearwrench are on this thread?

good tools are good tools no matter who makes them and where. like wise the bad ones.

Amercia being America is because we use whatever the best as long as it fits the bill.



Econoics 101

an accountant friend told me the best thing Everyone can do to help this country to get out of this recession is "don't buy anything that you can't f*&%^ afford". live a tough life for few years, pay off your debt. the root of all evil is money. money became too expensive for business to do business. because everybody is spending the money they dont' have, the country is spending the money it doesn't have, hint the bazillion dollar deficit.

it's gonna hurt, but like going to the dentist, spending few hours in pain so you can be pain free for a long time.

hold on to that $5000 shinny new tool box. you think buying it would help an American company, but if after few months of making the payment, you can't pay it any more. your stuff got put on the auction block sold for penny on a dollar, guess what, this company you were helping just lost $4000 on you. who's paying? everybody.

 

[quattrojon]

Smart bunch and we have people living here with easy access to top quality US made tools and they still buy Chinese ****.

I think that is because English government never stopped the rise of Asain imports or the decline of English companies. Most of their tool companies that made quality tools in England went under or were bought by companies that just ended production and imported tools, sound familiar???They seem to have the same problems we have just about twenty years in front of what we see here I hope some people are noticing what is going on and will turn the tide rather than just repeat history.

Very well said

 

[vssjim]

I think also alot of buisness get in to money trouble because of tax codes that are out of control.

 

[Aberdale]

And now the tide is turning, shortsighted greedy idiots didn't realize there was a price to pay for cheap Chinese ****, as they find themselves in the unemployment line they are starting to wise up. In addition China and the other Asians countries can't provide cheap goods indefinitely.

I hope your right, but I don't see it. There's nothing that would make me prouder than to see manufacturing of quality, cost competitive products return to the US. If you look at the industries where we still excel in manufacturing, it's products that are driven by innovation. It's one area we are still the best in the world. However, in mature industries that don't require real innovation, the product becomes commoditized, and compete pretty much on cost (and brand recognition) only. Hand tools are pretty much a commodity, except for the gimmick tools that come out around Christmas . . .

Dale

 

[Mickey O]

How long is the list of stuff still made in the U.S.???

Not as long as it used to be.

Wright
Armstrong
Snap On
Craftsman
Channellock
Klein
Paslode
Estwing
Bondhus
Eklind
S-K
Matco
Proto
Vaughan

Park
A_Pmech (The Hammer)

 

[jeepnut24]

again, I don't believe those professional marketing research companies got this wrong, the MAJORITY of the mechanics just care about if their tools can get the job done.

That is true for the MAJORITY of tool purchasers, not just mechanics. They want the tool to work when then need it too. Quite a few here on the board act like these import tools blow up on the first turn. Evidently they don't or the lines at HF wouldn't be back into the isles every time I go there. It seems like there are more people shopping there every time I go. A few years back it was usually pretty empty, now It is usually jammed packed when I go in on the weekend.

The average consumer doesn't care about origin because they just need the tool to work and then they want the best tool for the price. It is hard to justify the extra cost for a USA made tool when an import will work just the same for the average purchaser.

Why would I buy CMan homeowner grade when the import stuff is of a higher quality??? Sure used is a great option, but that isn't keeping the company in business.

 

[quattrojon]

I think that is because English government never stopped the rise of Asain imports or the decline of English companies. Most of their tool companies that made quality tools in England went under or were bought by companies that just ended production and imported tools, sound familiar???They seem to have the same problems we have just about twenty years in front of what we see here I hope some people are noticing what is going on and will turn the tide rather than just repeat history.

Forgive the off topic deviation, but it happened to our car industry too.

 

[vssjim]

Not as long as it used to be.

Wright
Armstrong
Snap On
Craftsman
Channellock
Klein
Paslode
Estwing
Bondhus
Eklind
S-K
Matco
Proto
Vaughan
Plumb
Park

I think you need to delete Plumb as the hammers I looked at not long ago where not made here anymore, Cooper tools in many cases are not made here anymore. When in doubt first don't not just ASSUME when buying stuff it is still a top quality made product anymore, first inspect it to be safe as things change as in the Plumb hammers just another cheapy hammer with an old line quality name

 

[jeepnut24]

And now the tide is turning, shortsighted greedy idiots didn't realize there was a price to pay for cheap Chinese ****, as they find themselves in the unemployment line they are starting to wise up. In addition China and the other Asians countries can't provide cheap goods indefinitely.

Only thing they will learn is not to take a job making stuff here in the US...

 

[vssjim]

Forgive the off topic deviation, but it happened to our car industry too.

Not really off target as the tool companies are alot like car companies.
I think England had alot of union trouble in the these industries and the companies did not want to look in the mirror and say things must improve or we will die. Nobody wanted to say we need to modernize and that means better productity and higher quality to make more and better products with fewer people and nobody wanted to stand up to the strike prone work force and say its over we can't take all these man hours to make stuff and pass along costs to the customer. You can see the US car companies finally told the work force things must change and get in line with others and it has saved the car companies from going under. US based tool companies will be forced to keep and expand use of moden machinery to keep up with the world or they will also fail.

 

[rhandwor]

The problem is the managers move a line of tools out and you walk in and they are gone.
They never ask their customers. Almost all parts stores moved out their better grade tools and if you need it you have to buy foreign. The auto companies restrict the tool companies from making items until a vehicle is approximately 10 years old. Foreign tool companies fill the void.
I think Mac will be 100% foreign in a few years.

 

[Bobthenailer]

Mac produces tools in Dallas Texas and Georgetown Ohio they are not moving tool production offshore. They have been having a very hard time competing with Snap On.
They have a GSA contract and have to make their tools in the USA.
The only thing made in asia is the casters on the tool boxes, the boxes themselves are made in columbus ohio.

 

[Mickey O]

Mac produces tools in Dallas Texas and Georgetown Ohio they are not moving tool production offshore. They have been having a very hard time competing with Snap On.
They have a GSA contract and have to make their tools in the USA.
The only thing made in asia is the casters on the tool boxes, the boxes themselves are made in columbus ohio.

Where were you for the last 130 or so posts?

 

[Fedwrench]

They have a GSA contract and have to make their tools in the USA.

Not entirely correct. They are listed on the GSA schedule but, they do not have sell only US made tools under the GSA schedule. Under the Berry act, purchases over a certain dollar amount are supposed to be US made. However, most purchases made with the government purchase card have a transaction limit of $3000 which falls well below the Berry Act requirement.
Mac tools aren't serious about selling tools to government agencies though. Their website is painful to navigate, their Government prices are much more expensive compared to Snap on Government prices, and it's impossible to track an order online. You have to call a woman at Mac hq to find out the status of your order and then it will be a minor miracle if she can find it. In the area of Governemnt sales Mac doesn't stand a chance. Hell thetoolwarehouse.net has a better GSA program than Mac.

 

[Bobthenailer]

I just learned of this site and it was pointed out to me what was being said so I wanted to set the record straight. Thanks

 

[Bobthenailer]

Mac Hard line Tools are made in the USA in Dallas Texas

 

[Bobthenailer]

You may not like the company but they have not moved tool production off shore.

 

[Bob Heine]

I'd take the alternative. But you're not exactly being honest here, you can get a USA made screwdriver set at Menards or Sears for around the same money or a few buck more, you can get high quality USA made used ones for the same price or less.

I didn't mean to be dishonest. Many of my hand tools are Craftsman or PowerKraft (Montgomery Ward/Jeffersons). Most were purchased in the 60s and 70s. I still buy Craftsman tools, usually when they are on sale. A fair number of my screwdrivers are nameless.

I was referring to the air tools and some of the specialty tools. The made in USA air tools are about ten times the price of the made in China knockoffs. A Hutchins Super Sander II from Autobody Toolmart is $249.99. Harbor Freight's Central Pneumatic version cost me $25. I'm sure there's no comparison in quality but I paid the same price for 12 Chinese air tools as I would have paid for one USA air tool.

$250 made in China air tools
3/8 inch impact wrench
1/2 inch impact wrench
1/4 inch air ratchet
3/8 inch air ratchet
Die grinder
Angle die grinder
Body saw
High speed sander
3/8 drill
DA sander
In-line sander
Reciprocating saw

$250 made in USA air tools
Hutchins Super Sander II

I bought some of my cheap air tools 25 years ago and they still work. I don't use them every day and if they did break, it doesn't affect my income.

 

[Bobthenailer]

You are correct MaC has been sorely lacking in their pursuit of Government Business but They are under new Management tasked with hiring a Government sales force to go after that business..I hope it works...Stanley is one of the last good american companies

 

[krusty the clown]

Mac produces tools in Dallas Texas and Georgetown Ohio they are not moving tool production offshore. They have been having a very hard time competing with Snap On.
They have a GSA contract and have to make their tools in the USA.
The only thing made in asia is the casters on the tool boxes, the boxes themselves are made in columbus ohio.

BS........except the competing with snap on part.

I just learned of this site and it was pointed out to me what was being said so I wanted to set the record straight. Thanks

how are you going to do that?

Mac Hard line Tools are made in the USA in Dallas Texas

including the edge line,ratchets,screwdrivers,pliers, etc?

You may not like the company but they have not moved tool production off shore.

once again BS.........



so bob, whats your angle?


EDIT: looks like bob has left the building before he answered my questions........

 

[toolnut]

That's funny you mention the GSA. I work in government and have to do bids on tools that we use in our shop. Made the mistake of not making a note of no substitutes for the tools I had on my bid sheet. Ended up with a bunch of Mex and China **** that we had to find someway to ummmm ya lose it... so we traded with a different shop. Some are worse of than our shop and will take anything. But I now make sure we get the good stuff that will last. The Williams, Excelite, and Easco stuff we have has been around since the 70's. In fact we have a real nice top Mac tool box.

 

[caper]

Mac Hard line Tools are made in the USA in Dallas Texas

********!My Mac Microtough ratchets distinctly say Taiwan on them.I also have several ratchets that say Global Components.Most of their pliers are also offshore production.

As far as Stanley being one of the last great american companies- they've raped the name of every company they've bought.They called me today to tell me they had found the ratchets that they lost a year ago when i sent them in for warranty repair.Wondering if I was still looking for them.Pathetic.

 

[arkangel06]

********!My Mac Microtough ratchets distinctly say Taiwan on them.I also have several ratchets that say Global Components.Most of their pliers are also offshore production.

As far as Stanley being one of the last great american companies- they've raped the name of every company they've bought.They called me today to tell me they had found the ratchets that they lost a year ago when i sent them in for warranty repair.Wondering if I was still looking for them.Pathetic.

stanley has been the downfall of the tool world no questions I just hope they dont ruin proto.

 

[vssjim]

To say MAC tools hard line is US made is way way out of line, THEY were made here 15 years ago but not now in many many cases. Not to discount some of their products are made here as I have seen Stanley Dallas Mechanic Tool buildings where they still make some products as well as Proto. Just to make one point 17x19 mm extra long chrome box wrench, old one broke out one end STAMPED ON TOOL "USA" new one sent in as replacement in plastic bag from MAC tools printed on package MADE IN TAIWAN no markings for COO on tool. This story is not here say as I was a witness to this. I have no problem with people buying what they want but new a Taiwan wrench costs less money from anybody else but he didn't get a refund on his wrench when they changed it from US to Taiwan to save Stanley money. Alot of MAC tools that were US are now imports but I have not seen them lower prices just widen their bottom line. Many Mac tools have also lost the made in USA stamping and you can bet alot of them are global component type or imported type tools as they list it on the package no longer on the tool.

 

[Snappy]

Sad to hear that another US plant is closing. Interesting site about MAC here:
http://www.mactoolssuck.com/welcome/intro.htm

 

[oldtools]

........the security guards at the Pentagon use German made H&K sub-machine guns and assault rifles. who did we fight in the WWII?.......

US M1 Abram main battle tank use German Rhinemetal 120mm smoothbore gun as well as British Chobham armor.

 

[oldtools]

.....I can see it now when the war department goes around to different factories looking for machine tools and told oh we sold all our tooling for scrap when we closed down.

They can use HF machine tools. There are plenty of those.

 

[CamarosRus]

Today Monday 2/22/2010 I was speaking with the N.W. USA factory rep for STANLEY VIDMAR. He is a long time employee and I told him about this thread.

He wrote me back the following............

You guys are so wound up, you probably will refute everything.

"I talked to someone about this and they told me all the hard line tools will still be made in America .

They have a plant in Columbus and someplace else not sure of the city I think it is Westerfield.

The Tool Boxes are made in America but the casters they put on them are not.

But for the most part Mac Tools is still an American Made product. Tell those guys MAC is still American Made…

The Sabina Plant was a small plant most of the tools for Mac are made in Dallas Texas and some are made in Georgetown Ohio.

Not sure what they did at the Sabrina Plant. But production of tools is defiantly not moving off shore. Mac has had a hard time financially the last few years mainly due to competition with Snap On. Mac is making a new push for government business so they have to make their tools in America because of the buy America act. "

 

[jcfields]

Not as long as it used to be.

Wright
Armstrong
Snap On
Craftsman
Channellock
Klein
Paslode
Estwing
Bondhus
Eklind
S-K
Matco
Proto
Vaughan

Park
A_Pmech (The Hammer)

Not strictly mechanic's tools, but:

Toolguy'd blog tipped me off to a good one: Xuron, who makes precision pliers for hobbyists.

Some portion of Husky, Kobalt, and Stanley are still made in the USA (Kobalt's wrenches and sockets and Stanley's PowerLock tape measures, for instance).

Empire Level, who makes some construction stuff (you know, levels, carpenter's squares, things like that), still makes a lot of stuff in the USA (but you gotta check; for example, their tape measures are imported).

Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised by stuff; for instance, this coaxial cable stripper and compression tool are both made in the USA (which is odd because all the other Ideal stuff I've seen is made overseas, but I'll take it).

There's Pratt-Read (screwdrivers) and Mayhew (punches, chisels, pry bars, scrapers), of course (two Craftsman OEMs).

I'm pretty sure Shop-Vac still manufactures/does final assembly on/whatever their vacs here.

MagLites and (one hopes) SureFire flashlights.

Leatherman multi-tools.

Lincoln and Miller welders.

So there's a bit of stuff still out there. Craftsman alone covers a pretty big chunk of affordable mechanic's tools.

 

[oldtools]

China just surpass the US as the world largest auto market. It will soon surpass the US as the world largest economy. As such, tool makers are shifting their focus toward China thus moving productions to China is a logical step. They may displease some die-hard fans, but they don't really have a choice.

 

[dustin19]

Not strictly mechanic's tools, but:

Toolguy'd blog tipped me off to a good one: Xuron, who makes precision pliers for hobbyists.

Some portion of Husky, Kobalt, and Stanley are still made in the USA (Kobalt's wrenches and sockets and Stanley's PowerLock tape measures, for instance).

Empire Level, who makes some construction stuff (you know, levels, carpenter's squares, things like that), still makes a lot of stuff in the USA (but you gotta check; for example, their tape measures are imported).

Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised by stuff; for instance, this coaxial cable stripper and compression tool are both made in the USA (which is odd because all the other Ideal stuff I've seen is made overseas, but I'll take it).

There's Pratt-Read (screwdrivers) and Mayhew (punches, chisels, pry bars, scrapers), of course (two Craftsman OEMs).

I'm pretty sure Shop-Vac still manufactures/does final assembly on/whatever their vacs here.

MagLites and (one hopes) SureFire flashlights.

Leatherman multi-tools.

Lincoln and Miller welders.

So there's a bit of stuff still out there. Craftsman alone covers a pretty big chunk of affordable mechanic's tools.

crapsman american made ? lol i was in sears the other day and couldnt believe how much stuff was import ****

 

[jcfields]

So don't buy the import ****. There's still a lot made in the USA.

 

[oldtools]

If it is justifiable for the US government to buy 16,000 Chinese (Lenovo) computers to reduce cost, why is it not justifiable for American to buy Chinese tools to reduce household cost/expense.

 

[dustin19]

So don't buy the import ****. There's still a lot made in the USA.

less then half there stuff is usa made anymore....ya thats a real lot....not..... atleats it looks that way when ever i go and see alot more of there new import packaging versus the normal.

 

[quattrojon]

I just learned of this site and it was pointed out to me what was being said so I wanted to set the record straight. Thanks

Bob, Do you by any chance work for Mac?

 

[krusty the clown]

Bob, Do you by any chance work for Mac?

Today Monday 2/22/2010 I was speaking with the N.W. USA factory rep for STANLEY VIDMAR. He is a long time employee and I told him about this thread.

He wrote me back the following............

You guys are so wound up, you probably will refute everything.

"I talked to someone about this and they told me all the hard line tools will still be made in America .

They have a plant in Columbus and someplace else not sure of the city I think it is Westerfield.

The Tool Boxes are made in America but the casters they put on them are not.

But for the most part Mac Tools is still an American Made product. Tell those guys MAC is still American Made…

The Sabina Plant was a small plant most of the tools for Mac are made in Dallas Texas and some are made in Georgetown Ohio.

Not sure what they did at the Sabrina Plant. But production of tools is defiantly not moving off shore. Mac has had a hard time financially the last few years mainly due to competition with Snap On. Mac is making a new push for government business so they have to make their tools in America because of the buy America act. "

so i'm assuming that bob is the contact that chuck spoke too......

and of course the evidence does not back up his statement.

 

[quneur]

If it is justifiable for the US government to buy 16,000 Chinese (Lenovo) computers to reduce cost, why is it not justifiable for American to buy Chinese tools to reduce household cost/expense.

Computers has a usefulness of a few years before becoming obsolete and its also very rare being able to find a component not made in Mexico or overseas. Tools on the other hand, are expected to last till their warranties expire.

I am guessing the only way to deter companies from manufacturing overseas is to treat it like we treat phamacutical companies. Now, that will give me nightmares.