Foreign tools

[rhandwor]

Do you think any U S tool manufacturers will still be in business in 10 years?
I'm talking about manufacturing tools not selling foreign under their brand name.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Yes I do, far to many specialty tools are made here and I doubt the other truck brands will outsource their hard line tools after seeing how badly it has turned out for Mac.

 

[krusty the clown]

yes i do........i don't think snap on, sk or most of the danaher companies stop domestic manufacturing. i do think as the economy declines we will see more outscourcing.

 

[Paladin]

I agree, the quality US manufacturers will always have a niche. SO, SK, Matco and Mac will likely stay around, but guaranteed, the Irwin move to China isn't going to be the last smaller US tool companies to move to China. I'll bet a bunch more of the smaller tool companies will be moving manufacture to east Asia in the near future.

 

[vssjim]

I don't think alot of companies will fly the coupe unless the government under pressy obammee changes the buy american rules for purchasing, the only reason they would change these rules would be to roll over for the chinee for some cash in the bank for 2012.

 

[krusty the clown]

I agree, the quality US manufacturers will always have a niche. SO, SK, Matco and Mac will likely stay around, but guaranteed, the Irwin move to China isn't going to be the last smaller US tool companies to move to China. I'll bet a bunch more of the smaller tool companies will be moving manufacture to east Asia in the near future.

mac and matco have already stated the move........

 

[Fedwrench]

Yes, there has to be American made tools to fix all of the broken foriegn made cars.

 

[Paladin]

mac and matco have already stated the move........

Yeah, sadly your right, but I wouldn't expect the bulk of the hardline to go to Asia. If it does, Snap On wins and those of us that enjoy a choice in tools lose.

 

[wrenchr]

Snap on is doing it as well!!!

 

[krusty the clown]

Yeah, sadly your right, but I wouldn't expect the bulk of the hardline to go to Asia.

i do...........

 

[krusty the clown]

Snap on is doing it as well!!!

other than some wire brushes, etc...........the hardline is staying US. blue point however is......but it's a second line.

 

[wrenchr]

other than some wire brushes, etc...........the hardline is staying US. blue point however is......but it's a second line.

If the ratchets were made here they would be stamped US, they claim they are US but I suspect not!! I'm sure something in the mechanism is foreign.

 

[seetherfiend]

I've watched 'em being made. 100% American. If anyone on here ever gets the chance, take the tour. Pretty cool.

 

[Chris Adams]

Well, if we have a depression the tools will be made here as wages will drop. If we continue to limp along the tools will move away as most people won't be able to buy the expensive US tools.
Wages/insurance/lawsuits are why they are made overseas in the first place. Control any one of them and our tool makers would be competitive.
Its got Jack to do with the tools.

 

[peteco]

...
Wages/insurance/lawsuits are why they are made overseas in the first place. Control any one of them and our tool makers would be competitive.
Its got Jack to do with the tools.

Add EPA constraints to the list.