Made in China or Taiwan preference

[reversegear]

Guess what though; the most successful and profitable factories have a lot of middle management that isn't from Taiwan. They're mostly from Europe, the US, Australia, and New Zealand. So the "dirty little secret" of many of these companies is that their critical people are from overseas -- mostly the US and Europe. Go to any western style hotel in a Taiwanese manufacturing city and they are full of western contractors helping them maintain their manufacturing infrastructure. BTW -- the POC (China) is doing the same thing.

Usually only for the foreign owned companies. It is very rare for a Taiwan-owned manufacturer to hire foreigners in any capacity. The Taiwanese are as technically competent and manufacturing savvy as anyone. Still terrible at marketing though. Foreigners you see in the western hotels? Product managers, purchasing agents, etc.

Actually, I'd argue that it is the other way around in helping with manufacturing. Comparing the size of the two countries, there are proportionately more Taiwanese engineers and technicians in U.S. manufacturing plants than the other way around. Danaher has 'em in Dallas. Stanley used to have a bunch. Probably better than 80% of new tool patents all have Taiwan inventors.

 

[reversegear]

Where do you think the Taiwanese Tool manufacturing machinery is made? Do they make it themselves too?

Usually. The company that makes Toptul was originally a manufacturer of vibratory finishing machines. Their machines are very good, and their technical skill in surface finishing was outstanding. When they started making tools, everyone knew that one thing you'd never have to worry about with their products is the finish.

Most TW tool manufacturers use locally made equipment, with the occasional Japanese or German unit. Taiwan is either the 4th or 5th largest exporter of machine tools in the world, so it is easy to get good production equipment.

 

[speed bump]

Do you even have to ask? Taiwan or preferably neither.

 

[ralf-who]

Taiwan. They have clearly moved past "knockoff/pirate at any cost" and much of what they produce is pretty good. The QC seems excellent. It pains me that Gearwrenches are such nice tools and not made here.

 

[Islands62]

I am trying get rid of all my Asian made tools, but I have to say the Taiwanese Stanley and Crescent (Cooper) sockets I had never failed, although I did kill a Cooper ratchet. I have those Craftsman "Professional" mini Pliers too from China. :mad I also have a set of Genius Tools (Taiwan) lug-nut impacts with plastic sleeves over them, and those have been fine.

 

[Paladin]

Taiwan. At least they are a democracy...

 

[paramudduck]

Old thread but Taiwan of course.

 

[Kev442]

My starter set of Master Mechanic sockets and ratchets were made in Taiwan, I was surprised that they held up for cheap early '80's. Ratchets were very coarse, but I think most of it is still floating around here somewhere!

 

[dede2897234]

I prefer Taiwan over China produced tools in terms of perceived quality and durability. However, a Taiwanese produced, 9.5" long, 3/8" drive Gearwrench ratchet I purchased last year just broke while removing an oil plug on our Chrysler PT Cruiser. After applying a good amount of torque on the ratchet to break loose the oil plug, the ratchet failed to reverse clockwise. Thank goodness for U.S. based Danaher Tool Group warranty hotline. The customer service representative handled my claim painlessly. She sent me a new ratchet to my home without having to mail first the broken one to Danaher.

 

[xroad]

Taiwan. At least they are a democracy...

Didn't they only recently elected a civilian goverment? The country was ran by the KMT party, the left over of the marshall law rule since after WW2?

If I have to look into the political leaning of everything I buy, I'll have to start making my own tools and grow my own food.

Some one mentioned slave labor in China ... I assume that is a figure of speech. They do not have slaves. They have piss poor low wages. If we apply the same standards to their factories, pay them union wages, then we'll have crappy *** tools sold at high price.

I'll pick Taiwan over China. They have longer history of good QC and world class manufacturing.

 

[Chris Adams]

Didn't they only recently elected a civilian goverment? The country was ran by the KMT party, the left over of the marshall law rule since after WW2?

If I have to look into the political leaning of everything I buy, I'll have to start making my own tools and grow my own food.

Some one mentioned slave labor in China ... I assume that is a figure of speech. They do not have slaves. They have piss poor low wages. If we apply the same standards to their factories, pay them union wages, then we'll have crappy *** tools sold at high price.

I'll pick Taiwan over China. They have longer history of good QC and world class manufacturing.

Um, no they have been a Democracy for LONG time. Even under CKS they did better than China ever did.
As to China;
Slaves are not always black. Historically slaves have been every color, creed, religion. Full slavery is still legal in many countries, even when renamed for political correctness.
However, to be specific, China uses slave labor in the strict definition;
Slave labor is when you are forced at gun point to labor, rather than laboring for pay.
Look it up.
The slaves are 'prisoners' which they have in abundant supply since they are a dictatorship.
Run short of prisoners, pass a new law, collect lots of new workers, err, prisoners.
Lots of people in China work for low wages. Lots of people in China work for high wages. And lots of people in China work for NO wages.

 

[reversegear]

Um, no they have been a Democracy for LONG time.

About 17 years or so.

 

[FNFS2000]

Okay guys, we all know that 'Made in the USA' is what we all look for when it comes to tools

Actually its Germany...

To choose from China and Taiwan, there is a lot better product coming out of taiwan in general.

 

[xroad]

Um, no they have been a Democracy for LONG time. Even under CKS they did better than China ever did.

[xroad] Of course, I agree, there is no comparison to China. Just like there is no comparison of their tools. China is not even in Taiwan's ball park, yet.

Slaves are not always black. Historically ..... The slaves are 'prisoners' which they have in abundant supply .....

[xroad] Agree again. I am just annoyed that people throw the word "slave" around when speaking of China and their manufacturers. Yes, they do use prison labor, but majority of their factory work force are regular people. Piss *** low pay, but just regular people.

Run short of prisoners, pass a new law, collect lots of new workers, err, prisoners.

[xroad] Funny sarcastic statement but not true. They may have oppressive laws and they generate prisoners but they don't adjust their laws to meet demands of labor shortage.

Lots of people in China work for low wages. Lots of people in China work for high wages. And lots of people in China work for NO wages.

[xroad] True. Like I said, I get annoyed with lots of ignorant people (I don't mean you) here that buys into the propoganda we throw around here that China is like North Korea. I am not saying China is like what we enjoy here but it certainly not N.K. Life in China, in Beijing, or Shanghai, for example, is very much like any major cities through out the world. Only difference is that you can say whatever you want EXCEPT anything negative about the government. Lots of things the government considered a threat to their power. Take Fa-Lung-Gong for example. To me, it is a weird stupid *** "religion". For all I care, people can pray to a lamp post or a toilet seat for all I care. However, they should have that freedom to do so.

..........

 

[Snappy]

Not only would I choose Taiwan over China, but off the top of my head I can think of a couple of tools produced in Taiwan where the quality is better than any comparable product made in the USA. We always think that made in USA is best quality, and historically that has been true. But times are changing. Taiwan started producing tools in the 60's, and there are now older Taiwanese guys with 30+ years experience in this kind of manufacturing. If a U.S. or European company is willing to pay for it, Taiwan can do it.

I would have to see that to believe it. I personally have'nt seen anything Chinese or Tiawanese that I would want. I am so sick of seeing almost every thing I see in stores stating " Made in China ".

 

[great adventure]

why taiwan?

I've just bought new 5 feet long red tools box with 9 drawers
it's more stronger 3 times than the china one with the
same specification

the taiwani tools box is more expensive than the chinie's one
but I insist on the quality!! and bought the taiwan one

I recommend you the taiwan

 

[DSKA Tools]

Definitely Taiwan. We carry two vendors on our tool trucks out of Taiwan (Genius Tools and Grey Pneuatic). Both are top of the line. However, when Sunex and Perfomance tool moved their operations to China their quality suffered and our returns increased. We dropped most of thier line last year. DSKA TOOLS

 

[big red]

Taiwan has my vote . Love the gearwrenches . Most of Canadian Tire tools are from China aren't they ? I still like tools from Taiwan

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Taiwan, I have some Master Mechanic sockets I bought like 5 years ago, made in taiwan..(1/4 10mm sockets) They have been good... I checked some tools at the local hardware, guess what... china.....
The stuff from Taiwan is better than China,