Locks14 said:I'm the first to criticise Festool if I feel it's warranted. However, made in China isn't necessarily a bad thing, so long as Festool still specify the same tollorances and production standard as they would demand from their German factory.
The notion that China can only produce cheap, inferior products is outdated.
The above notwithstanding, I do think if Festool are producing more items through China, the prices should begin to stabilise and come inline with other manufacturers (Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, etc.) to offer a better value proposition and stop "dining out" on the Festool name being a supposed byword for superiority when they're often only an equal proposition against their competitors.
Locks14 said:I'm the first to criticise Festool if I feel it's warranted. However, made in China isn't necessarily a bad thing, so long as Festool still specify the same tollorances and production standard as they would demand from their German factory.
The notion that China can only produce cheap, inferior products is outdated.
The above notwithstanding, I do think if Festool are producing more items through China, the prices should begin to stabilise and come inline with other manufacturers (Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, etc.) to offer a better value proposition and stop "dining out" on the Festool name being a supposed byword for superiority when they're often only an equal proposition against their competitors.
Brice Burrell said:Locks14 said:I'm the first to criticise Festool if I feel it's warranted. However, made in China isn't necessarily a bad thing, so long as Festool still specify the same tollorances and production standard as they would demand from their German factory.
The notion that China can only produce cheap, inferior products is outdated.
The above notwithstanding, I do think if Festool are producing more items through China, the prices should begin to stabilise and come inline with other manufacturers (Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, etc.) to offer a better value proposition and stop "dining out" on the Festool name being a supposed byword for superiority when they're often only an equal proposition against their competitors.
Everyone knows that quality products can be produced in China. The objection is where companies choose to invest. In part we all like supporting Festool because they employ workers in Germany at a fair wage. I'd rather the tools were made in the US, but that isn't going to happen so I settle for Germany. I will be less likely to support Festool if they choose to shift manufacturing to China. That's not the economy I want to support. Also, I don't think Festool making products in China will control pricing much, if at all.
Pizza Steve said:Locks14 said:I'm the first to criticise Festool if I feel it's warranted. However, made in China isn't necessarily a bad thing, so long as Festool still specify the same tollorances and production standard as they would demand from their German factory.
The notion that China can only produce cheap, inferior products is outdated.
The above notwithstanding, I do think if Festool are producing more items through China, the prices should begin to stabilise and come inline with other manufacturers (Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, etc.) to offer a better value proposition and stop "dining out" on the Festool name being a supposed byword for superiority when they're often only an equal proposition against their competitors.
Are you suggesting Festool's prices will stabilize by somehow decreasing, or perhaps by creating more value in including accessories with purchases? [blink]
China most definitely produces cheap (inexpensive); inferior, I would agree, may be subjective.
Locks14 said:Pizza Steve said:Locks14 said:I'm the first to criticise Festool if I feel it's warranted. However, made in China isn't necessarily a bad thing, so long as Festool still specify the same tollorances and production standard as they would demand from their German factory.
The notion that China can only produce cheap, inferior products is outdated.
The above notwithstanding, I do think if Festool are producing more items through China, the prices should begin to stabilise and come inline with other manufacturers (Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, etc.) to offer a better value proposition and stop "dining out" on the Festool name being a supposed byword for superiority when they're often only an equal proposition against their competitors.
Are you suggesting Festool's prices will stabilize by somehow decreasing, or perhaps by creating more value in including accessories with purchases? [blink]
China most definitely produces cheap (inexpensive); inferior, I would agree, may be subjective.
Stabilise in terms that year on year, broad stroke price increases will cease and possibly prices decrease, if not in terms of raw price slashing, but in terms of (as you suggest) a more inclusive package. For example a parallel guide being standard with a £550+ router such as the OF2200 and not a costly "accessory".
jacko9 said:I don't know who own's Festool but here in the USA most manufacturing companies were bought out by banks and investment companies and parted out the companies for the maximum profit. Any savings in cheaper manufacturing didn't automatically go to the customers but to the financial institutions that took over.
Jack
Locks14 said:Stabilise in terms that year on year, broad stroke price increases will cease and possibly prices decrease, if not in terms of raw price slashing, but in terms of (as you suggest) a more inclusive package. For example a parallel guide being standard with a £550+ router such as the OF2200 and not a costly "accessory".
wmoc said:I just noticed my tcl3 charger is made in China. If this is the start of the outsoucing for more profits, I will stop buying festool products.
bkharman said:wmoc said:I just noticed my tcl3 charger is made in China. If this is the start of the outsoucing for more profits, I will stop buying festool products.
Do you have any Apple products? They are pretty high end things and they are made in (gasp!)
China.
wmoc said:I just noticed my tcl3 charger is made in China. If this is the start of the outsoucing for more profits, I will stop buying festool products.
Brice Burrell said:bkharman said:wmoc said:I just noticed my tcl3 charger is made in China. If this is the start of the outsoucing for more profits, I will stop buying festool products.
Do you have any Apple products? They are pretty high end things and they are made in (gasp!)
China.
This is one of the major reasons I don't own any apple products.
Hanks said:Hi, I am new to this group so go easy on me. I had to sound in on this discussion as we talk about it at work daily.
I repair consumer electronics for a living and made in China is not my favorite statement. All I really wanted to add is
that China has probably thousands of Electronics manufacturing facilities. Pretty easy and tempting to go that route. Not sure how many in Germany but I am sure there are very few in comparison. Even "high end" audio companies farm out a lot of the circuit board manufacturing to China. It is something we all have to accept. Does this mean that your Festool charger won't last as long as one made in Europe? Probably.
Chris
wmoc said:I just noticed my tcl3 charger is made in China. If this is the start of the outsourcing for more profits, I will stop buying festool products.
[thumbs up] [thumbs up] [thumbs up]zapdafish said: