Wera Sockets no longer being made in Taiwan

[electron2248]

Picked up a couple of sockets to fill out my collection from Amazon.de. My previous ones I believe we're all Taiwanese. Looks like they're switching the production back to Europe. Not much of a difference in finish that I can tell. At least the C.O.O. is now in line with the price... Also, the 15mm size in 1/4" drive is a new addition as well as the deep-wall's.

Sent from my SM-N960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Fedwrench]

I think that may just be for the series you linked. The newly released 1/4 drive shallow 15 mm socket I got was made in Taiwan.

 

[Skin]

Wera lies, simple as that. All sockets and ratchets are forged in Taiwan and then shipped to CZ for inspection, finishing (if needed) and packaging. The only thing they actually make in the CZ factory is handles and screwdriver shanks.

They're really nice tools regardless of COO but the company has been lying since they first started offering drive tools beyond screwdrivers.

 

[OMMP]

Makes total sense, regarding Wera's honesty or truthfulness... Finally, it's all about intuitive sense (little more than that, but let's call it that for now) that we've not been lied to, and that there is 'some feeling' 'bout tools...
There is BIG difference in looks, weight, measure toleration, chrome (or some other protective plating)... There is BIG difference in design, and we are simply paying for that - and for magical brand letters.

 

[giants]

electron2248, every time I select a Wera product and go to the checkout page, they say amazon.de shipping unavailable. I'm in the US. Are you having that problem, or are you getting them shipped elsewhere?

 

[CGarage]

The rule of origin provisions within Europe allow for this...the COO stated has to do with blended percentages of components supplied from various countries of origin.
That being said, I’m seeing amazing quality out of Taiwan these days. I would not be worried.

 

[mr.lemons]

Wera lies, simple as that. All sockets and ratchets are forged in Taiwan and then shipped to CZ for inspection, finishing (if needed) and packaging. The only thing they actually make in the CZ factory is handles and screwdriver shanks.

They're really nice tools regardless of COO but the company has been lying since they first started offering drive tools beyond screwdrivers.

Quite a few of their products are claimed to be made in CZ, Joker Wrenches, Bit holders, Zyklop ratchets (roto and all metal), hex/torx bits, allen keys. Do you have good info so you know for sure they are just finished in their CZ factory? I'm not a Wera fan so not being defencive, just interested.

Edit.. Also a selection of their screwdrivers are listed as made in DE.

 

[giants]

The rule of origin provisions within Europe allow for this...the COO stated has to do with blended percentages of components supplied from various countries of origin.
That being said, I’m seeing amazing quality out of Taiwan these days. I would not be worried.

That reminds me of "Made in the US of Global Materials."

 

[OMMP]

Taiwan can, is able, and do product in terms of high quality. China can that too. Asian tiger, as it's economically known, has India, Thailand, Philippines. Japan is, probably, world's leader in manufacturing top notch tools. I do think that more than few Tsunoda and Vessel models have been produced in Thailand. Also, biggest well of informations about PB Swiss got it's Philippines origin... How's that for not being suspicious? Knipex opened recently training center in India (can't be 100% sure, but I think that data from 2014. stated that Knipex had 800 employees, 300 in production, manufacturing 40.000 pliers a day... Possible?). There is strong presence of Heyco nowadays, forgotten and probably liquidated manufacturer. Their tools state Made in Germany. New tools.
It's not about just quality - it's about truth. 'Global' is manipulative and deceptive. Being a student, we learned from so-so professor about marketing. He wasn't talented and real smart guy, but rather cunning and slick. You know the type. However, he stated that stamping of origins of product had legal implications - e.a. if the product was stamped Made in U.S.A. the stamping itself was enough, if it was true stamped in America.
We, or 'our time', didn't invent this. It is old as mankind. There is Latin phrase - Caveat emptor! - Beware, buyer!

 

[CGarage]

Your “Made in Switzerland” Rolex only has to have 60 percent of its total value made with Swiss manufactured components and be cased in Switzerland to achieve the coveted “Made in Switzerland” label as of 2017. Years prior, it was only a 50 percent of value Swiss manufactured provision.

 

[CGarage]

That reminds me of "Made in the US of Global Materials."

“Or assembled in USA”.

Don’t complain. Your Ford is probably less than 50% American.

 

[Professional Tool User]

The rule of origin provisions within Europe allow for this...the COO stated has to do with blended percentages of components supplied from various countries of origin.
That being said, I’m seeing amazing quality out of Taiwan these days. I would not be worried.

Quality is not the issue. The real sticking point is price. There's no way I'm paying the prices Wera is charging on a lot of their tools if it's made in Taiwan. Gearwrench prices are about as high as I am willing to pay for Made in Taiwan tools.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Taiwan can, is able, and do product in terms of high quality. China can that too. Asian tiger, as it's economically known, has India, Thailand, Philippines. Japan is, probably, world's leader in manufacturing top notch tools. I do think that more than few Tsunoda and Vessel models have been produced in Thailand.

Out of all the COO you listed, only Taiwan and Japan have a reputation of consistently making decent quality tools. For China at least and to some extent for the rest of them, for every supplier that is trying to make a decent product, there are dozens of bad ones.

 

[CGarage]

Quality is not the issue. The real sticking point is price. There's no way I'm paying the prices Wera is charging on a lot of their tools if it's made in Taiwan. Gearwrench prices are about as high as I am willing to pay for Made in Taiwan tools.

I think in any acquisition price is critical. More so than in most industries, I am amazed by the tool price fluctuations that occur almost daily, and the percentage price change can sometimes be very large (greater than 30-40 percent). The prices are rarely stable or fixed. It is a very dynamic market. I think the tool companies use this to their advantage as most consumers do not recall fair values for many items.

I think the transition to China and Taiwan for manufacturing is to position these companies for expansion to the Asian market and to tool up for domestic consumption within those countries.
This will continue to expand into the future.

The industrial revolution has been long and drawn out for mainland China. All but the coastal areas are still largely rural and agricultural. But the market potential going into the future is absolutely huge based upon the growing population numbers and rapid expansion of the middle class.

It does not matter if it is American made or Taiwanese made. The prices are subject to change daily and sometimes the changes can be dramatic based upon the pricing and sales models these companies employ.

As far as value and quality for the money, the Asian manufacturers, in particular Japan, were the first to implement the widespread TQM approach and they have done exceptionally well with it. I agree. I think Japan makes some of the highest quality tools in the world. The product made in Taiwan I find to be extremely well made as of late (not so much 20 years ago) and Taiwan implements very robust quality control and quality management processes within its manufacturing sector. They are also the cradle of innovation in my opinion for new tool designs and concepts- usually made in partnership with long established European brands.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

COO is really only important in North America . Lee Valley is famous for selling only quality tools. On one of their buying trips to Europe they were offered any COO, even made in Canada! Not everyone has the same respect for COO.

 

[CGarage]

COO is really only important in North America . Lee Valley is famous for selling only quality tools. On one of their buying trips to Europe they were offered any COO, even made in Canada! Not everyone has the same respect for COO.

More like in Europe they can manipulate COO / rule of origin to suit the buyer and import rules/regulations.

 

[ajchien]

Quality is not the issue. The real sticking point is price. There's no way I'm paying the prices Wera is charging on a lot of their tools if it's made in Taiwan. Gearwrench prices are about as high as I am willing to pay for Made in Taiwan tools.

I was curious.... and I googled. One internet (numbeo) comparison I did for “average consumer item price” showed that the Czech Republic cost of living was 25% lower than in Taiwan. Therefore, it would seem to be cheaper to manufacture in the Czech Republic than in Taiwan?

 

[giants]

I think in any acquisition price is critical. More so than in most industries, I am amazed by the tool price fluctuations that occur almost daily, and the percentage price change can sometimes be very large (greater than 30-40 percent). The prices are rarely stable or fixed. It is a very dynamic market. I think the tool companies use this to their advantage as most consumers do not recall fair values for many items.

I think the transition to China and Taiwan for manufacturing is to position these companies for expansion to the Asian market and to tool up for domestic consumption within those countries.
This will continue to expand into the future.

The industrial revolution has been long and drawn out for mainland China. All but the coastal areas are still largely rural and agricultural. But the market potential going into the future is absolutely huge based upon the growing population numbers and rapid expansion of the middle class.

It does not matter if it is American made or Taiwanese made. The prices are subject to change daily and sometimes the changes can be dramatic based upon the pricing and sales models these companies employ.

As far as value and quality for the money, the Asian manufacturers, in particular Japan, were the first to implement the widespread TQM approach and they have done exceptionally well with it. I agree. I think Japan makes some of the highest quality tools in the world. The product made in Taiwan I find to be extremely well made as of late (not so much 20 years ago) and Taiwan implements very robust quality control and quality management processes within its manufacturing sector. They are also the cradle of innovation in my opinion for new tool designs and concepts- usually made in partnership with long established European brands.

I'm only on Amazon and Ebay as a customer, so I'm not seeing the daily tool price fluctuations that you observe (except at Sears.com, LOL). Where are you seeing those price fluctuations?

I've met a few Taiwanese-Americans. Their proud people that I respect and they have a justifiable disdain for Red China, and believe that they have a high work ethic. One computer science major told me how great ASUS computers were, a Taiwanese company. I've built two computers with ASUS parts and they're been nothing short of great. In all fairness, I see that the components I have and a newer laptop are all made in China

 

[CGarage]

You can see price fluctuations on Amazon and approved vendors that the manufacturers appoint to distribute the tools. Not on EBay.

I agree with the Taiwanese being hard workers and intelligent. They are an Asian Tiger after all.

 

[Skin]

Quite a few of their products are claimed to be made in CZ, Joker Wrenches, Bit holders, Zyklop ratchets (roto and all metal), hex/torx bits, allen keys. Do you have good info so you know for sure they are just finished in their CZ factory? I'm not a Wera fan so not being defencive, just interested.

Edit.. Also a selection of their screwdrivers are listed as made in DE.

The packaging COO changes depending on what kit you buy. For example socket sets with ratchets say Taiwan. The ratcheting wrench box ends look exactly like other Hi-Five products. The bit ratchets use well known Taiwan mechanisms. They don't post any promotional material of those tools being made either. Tool companies always plaster that stuff on their websites and catalogs. I have no reason to trust their COO claims especially when there is every indication that they've partnered with Taiwan firms.

For the most part nobody is as strict as the US with regards to COO. Most countries are 50-60% and don't require all manufacturing be done there either. Mexico is probably one of the best known countries that does this where a company can ship in all the parts from, say, China and assemble there and its "made in Mexico". I think Germany increased their domestic content to 80% so they're one of the few standouts.

 

[giants]

...For the most part nobody is as strict as the US with regards to COO. Most countries are 50-60% and don't require all manufacturing be done there either. Mexico is probably one of the best known countries that does this where a company can ship in all the parts from, say, China and assemble there and its "made in Mexico". I think Germany increased their domestic content to 80% so they're one of the few standouts.

Thanks. What are the US's regulations as to COO, especially "Made in America of Global Materials" baloney? I *thought* that I heard back in the 1990s that Toyota imported pick-up trucks without bumpers so that the bumpers could be installed in the US to bypass COO regulations.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

That 50% could be value. It's much easier to get 50% in a high wage area.

 

[1982fxr]

That reminds me of "Made in the US of Global Materials."

That label exists because of our strict standards.

In other places they would just say "made in".

 

[1982fxr]

Thanks. What are the US's regulations as to COO, especially "Made in America of Global Materials" baloney? I *thought* that I heard back in the 1990s that Toyota imported pick-up trucks without bumpers so that the bumpers could be installed in the US to bypass COO regulations.

The FTC has the laws on their site.

The only alphabet soup agency I like.

 

[Skin]

Thanks. What are the US's regulations as to COO, especially "Made in America of Global Materials" baloney? I *thought* that I heard back in the 1990s that Toyota imported pick-up trucks without bumpers so that the bumpers could be installed in the US to bypass COO regulations.

Majority of the assembly has to be done in the US either with domestic or imported components. You cant just slap a sticker on something, at least not legally.

 

[mr.lemons]

The packaging COO changes depending on what kit you buy. For example socket sets with ratchets say Taiwan. The ratcheting wrench box ends look exactly like other Hi-Five products. The bit ratchets use well known Taiwan mechanisms. They don't post any promotional material of those tools being made either. Tool companies always plaster that stuff on their websites and catalogs. I have no reason to trust their COO claims especially when there is every indication that they've partnered with Taiwan firms.

For the most part nobody is as strict as the US with regards to COO. Most countries are 50-60% and don't require all manufacturing be done there either. Mexico is probably one of the best known countries that does this where a company can ship in all the parts from, say, China and assemble there and its "made in Mexico". I think Germany increased their domestic content to 80% so they're one of the few standouts.

Lot of conjecture there.

 

[American Locomotive]

Wera lies, simple as that. All sockets and ratchets are forged in Taiwan and then shipped to CZ for inspection, finishing (if needed) and packaging. The only thing they actually make in the CZ factory is handles and screwdriver shanks.

They're really nice tools regardless of COO but the company has been lying since they first started offering drive tools beyond screwdrivers.

You're really going to need to cite some sources.

 

[CGarage]

I agree with the above.

 

[Skin]

You're really going to need to cite some sources.

Common sense and deductive reasoning is my source. All the sockets, extensions, universal adapters, and Zyklop Minis are marked Taiwan on their parts bag when you buy them individually. This is well documented. Buy the same product in a set with some bits and it magically changes to CZ. I do not trust the company at all. The Joker wrenches are forged and plated in Taiwan complete with ratcheting box ends and shipped to CZ for final assembly and packaging. COO marking? CZ. I was told that by a Wera rep back when they first came out. I'd place a cash bet the large ratchets are done the same way. You guys can do whatever you want.

 

[CGarage]

Asian tiger, as it's economically known, has India, Thailand, Philippines.

Wrong.

 

[1982fxr]

What are Asian tiger countries?

The Four Asian Tigers or Asian Dragons are the highly developed economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. These regions were the first newly industrialized countries.

 

[CGarage]

Bingo. Thank you.

I always have the sense that some of the biggest proponents of COO have absolutely no understanding of globalization, industrialization, and global manufacturing capability.

 

[mr.lemons]

Common sense and deductive reasoning is my source.

To be fair I think what you say is probably right though.

 

[measuredtwice]

Bingo. Thank you.

I always have the sense that some of the biggest proponents of COO have absolutely no understanding of globalization, industrialization, and global manufacturing capability.

What's wrong with being a proponent of COO? Are there people against COO who aren't liars and cheats?

 

[CGarage]

What's wrong with being a proponent of COO? Are there people against COO who aren't liars and cheats?

It’s an outdated way to look at product quality in this modern era of globalization.

 

[measuredtwice]

It’s an outdated way to look at product quality in this modern era of globalization.

No, you are mistaken. You are confusing COO and quality. COO is country of origin. I want to know if it was made in the USA. I appreciate that it may be manufactured in the USA with foreign materials. Quality is a separate issue.

 

[CGarage]

No, you are mistaken. You are confusing COO and quality. COO is country of origin. I want to know if it was made in the USA. I appreciate that it may be manufactured in the USA with foreign materials. Quality is a separate issue.

I am not mistaken at all. Being a proponent of COO and equating country of origin to quality is an outdated way of looking at things today.

 

[measuredtwice]

I am not mistaken at all. Being a proponent of COO and equating country of origin to quality is an outdated way of looking at things today.

You are the only one talking about quality. That was your mistake. I'm only talking about COO. What's wrong with wanting the Country of Origin clearly described by the manufacturer? Keep in mind that I acknowledge that the manufacturer may state it is made in one country with materials imported from another country.

 

[Steve_P]

COO means more to some people than perceived quality. Some people want to buy USA to support domestic mfg - give their neighbor a job. For some COO concern is human and worker rights. For some it's environmental concerns.....

 

[1982fxr]

I am not mistaken at all. Being a proponent of COO and equating country of origin to quality is an outdated way of looking at things today.

I disagree. If you are knowledgeable about the item then it's a very good and efficient way.