http://www.inddist.com/news/2015/11/hitachi-buys-german-power-tool-maker-metabo-reported-180-million
I didn't find this posted already on here.
I didn't find this posted already on here.
Hitachi Koki Buys Metabo
- Thread starter firworks
- Start date
shamrock12
Well-known member
Well, I'll be damned ...
Mentioned by Monte last week
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5265582&postcount=23145
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5265582&postcount=23145
KamiCrit
Well-known member
So.. Buy up all the old stock while you can?
sam.coll
Well-known member
I would be Hitachi power tools have IMO nose dived in the last 5 - 10 years
Tiny Jackson
Well-known member
Green power tools acquire green power tools.
neophyte
Well-known member
Hitachi all ready bought all the Metabo stock.
Sounds like I bought my German made variable speed grinder just in time ! Having said that, Hitachi do have a policy of establishing factories in their main markets, they have a factory in the UK selling into the EU for example.
I wonder what the future of Fein is ? Their equivalent model to my Metabo is way more expensive here in the UK.
I wonder what the future of Fein is ? Their equivalent model to my Metabo is way more expensive here in the UK.
Vinko
Well-known member
Does this necessarily mean the quality will go down hill? I've seen some pretty good Hitachi quality.
anndel
Well-known member
Maybe, maybe not. Could be Hitachi will ship off manufacturing to gulp.....china on lower to mid range tools while the high ends stay in Germany.
racingtadpole
Well-known member
Been doing it for quite some time. I have a couple of Metabo grinders that I bought at a trade day about 8 years ago that I discovered had made in PRC on them when I got them home.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Metabo employs more than 2,000 people around the world, and has 2 manufacturing sites: Nürtingen and Shanghai (China).
http://www.metabo.us/History.31161.0.html
TheMadMech
Well-known member
I just bought a 120v 6" 13.5amp Metabo grinder and it was German made and thus far runs like a dream.
This is my clever signature.
This is my clever signature.
AceofSpad3s
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,808
I got a hitachi miter saw that I bought a few months back and it is pretty nice. Casting isn't pretty but it feels well built, it cuts things well and even has a brake for $99
SMKS
Well-known member
Interesting. I never read the Old World thread, so I haven't seen this.
I wouldn't fret yet. We will have to see what happens.
While Hitachi does make some cheap stuff, they also make some pretty nice stuff. I even think some of the cheaper tools are pretty good for the price.
Maybe they want Metabo as a premium brand to got above Hitachi in th hierarchy.
Only time will tell, I gues.
Now if Stanley Black and Decker or TTi had bought them, then it might be time to worry.
I wouldn't fret yet. We will have to see what happens.
While Hitachi does make some cheap stuff, they also make some pretty nice stuff. I even think some of the cheaper tools are pretty good for the price.
Maybe they want Metabo as a premium brand to got above Hitachi in th hierarchy.
Only time will tell, I gues.
Now if Stanley Black and Decker or TTi had bought them, then it might be time to worry.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I'd say better stock up. Luckily Fein is still a good alternative (atm).
How come ? It has over 8 million views and has thousands of photos of some of the best tools in the World posted up !
marlinspike
Well-known member
I doubt it. All recent Metabo marketing pushes "Made in Germany" hard - they basically don't mention their Chinese made tools in interviews. From reading Hitachi's release on the purchase, it seems their goal was to buy something that will get them European market share, not buy something they can gut.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I really hope they keep the top notch quality and German manufacturing. It's the reason I buy metabo tools. I'll switch to Fein if they move manufacturing to China.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
Hitatchi has and does make some very high quailty tools. Suggesting they don't is silly. They can do as good or better than anyone if they try. Sliding miter saw is one example of a top quality tool and innovative design. Metabo is very good too. I would not think they would replace or change the goodness Metabo has but instead keep it and build on it. I wouldn't be worried in this deal at all. - Paul
That is all well and good but as a customer half the point of going out of your way to purchase Metabo at a price premium is for German manufacture. If the whole brand is made in China they lose that marketing edge. I will also say that the Hitachi stuff that was made in Japan was pretty top notch. China QC wont be as stringent.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
If they really are moving all the Metabo to China, then I would agree with that. BUT, pretty much all the cordless tools you can buy today are made in China, except Fein and some Metabo, and many of those are pretty good quality manufacture, like say Milwaukee. So even there it depends. - Paul
The Toolest Guy
Banned
Really? You must live in a different world than me. Oh that's right it is the world of USA......
How about the countless cordless tools that are made in Taiwan? Japan is another country which manufactures many different brands of cordless tools. Then there is the odd UK manufactured cordless tools. I believe some Bosch stuff is made in the UK.
If I go to a local tool store from my guesstimation there is about 1/2 of the cordless tools made in China, and 1/4 Japan, and another 1/4 Taiwan.