How Important is Made in the USA?

[tulenutn2o]

You have to wonder, if they can pay $98 million in fines how much profit is there in steel? It just might be a steal!

J

Nice pun there radar.:laughing:

 

[RadarTech]

Nice pun there radar.:laughing:

why thank you...

I must have thought about that for a whole 5 seconds...


:laughing:

J

 

[sweettractors]

I often wonder how many USA implement producers would disclose the country of origin of the basic ingredent, steel? Ken Sweet

 

[dcyrilc]

I didn't say there were no mills in the US. There are still mini-mills that produce specialty steels and alloys. These are the steels needed to meet certain military and private specs. You're not clear on what the "State specs" are. And forged steel could be a process of shaping the steel. The steel could come from anywhere and "forged" in the US. All the stock structural I've seen down here comes stamped "Made in Mexico". The stock re-bar comes from India. That's not to say that there isn't factories around fabricating structural members to order. But I'm betting the A36 steel came from Mexico or Canada.

I know that in Washington State, all traffic signal poles must be made from US steel. Same thing for galvanized rigid conduit used on state DOT projects.

 

[mjncad]

The international economy we live in today is not the result of a conspiracy, George Soros, the EU, international corporate cabals, or intergalactic space aliens from Alpha Centauri.

Another factor is the cost of transport/cost of labor. The single biggest factor that could drive manufacture back to our shores would be a dramatic increase in the price of fuel required to move it.

Don't forget the 'Trilateral Commission' that was a running joke on the old 'Barney Miller' TV sitcom.

As for transportation costs; please see my earlier post about the efficiencies of container shipping. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1999235-post82.html The biggest thing that could help bring manufacturing back to North America is for China to let its currency float on the free market; but they keep the Yuan artificially low to stave off competition.

I don't have a problem with China or anyone else improving their standard of living; I just have a problem with their improvement coming at our expense.

 

[bw_wis]

Made in the USA is very important to me. Unfortunately I have to admit made in the USA doesn't always make my bottom line.

What is most important to me is VALUE.

Here how my process usually works.

1. What products fit my needs.
2. When do I need it.
3. Quality
4. Place of manufacture
5. Price

As far as where something is made.
U.S.A.
Canada
Europe
Japan
South America
other Asia
China

My business opinion is do the best you can. Be as made in America as is practical. My emotional option would love to see a truly Made in America product.

While I have not been a customer of yours yet. THANK YOU for your demo videos. Everything Attachments is always at the top of my list when I'm thinking about a tractor accessory.

Brian

 

[Builder]

I don't have a problem with China or anyone else improving their standard of living; I just have a problem with their improvement coming at our expense.

Exactly. That's my gripe, too. They are screwing around with currency and infringing on patents on a daily basis. Best thing to do is refuse to buy their crap.

 

[Pops15]

There's none in your list made in the USA. Unless of course you use some aircraft or specialty bolts. Except for some specialty steels, NO steel is produced in the US. Where are you going to buy the material except from off-shore makers? It doesn't make any difference if you're making buttons or building a skyscraper, the US doesn't make the steel anymore. It's not here to buy.

There is a small steel plant about 12 miles from my house.

 

[smstonypoint]

There is a small steel plant about 12 miles from my house.

According to the site below, the US ranked 3rd (after PRC and Japan) in world steel production in 2008.

List of countries by steel production - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steve

 

[Ford850]

I make a conscious effort to buy USA products more than ever. Many times it means holding off buying a product until I save a little more. It makes me sick to see the good old American companies outsourcing more and more. Recently I was buying a pair of Vice-Grip pliers at Lowes. I noticed 2 pegs of the same model. One peg had a "new lower price" tag on it and it was a couple of bucks lower. I grabbed a pair from that peg and as I walked away I noticed it was missing the USA flag on the label. I went back to the display and sure enough the higher price peg was made in the USA while the "new lower price" pliers were made in China. I paid the 2 bucks more for the USA model. If we all did this with just one product every time we shopped for something, we could be saving a job somewhere. Who knows, it could be your job. Unfortunately we don't have those choices all the time, and not at all with tractors. Most wear parts on implements are made in India or Brazil.

I do intentionally buy products from other countries though, but when they are producing a superior product. That's rarely China. It is usually made in Germany, Italy, or Japan.

My son is only 11 but he also makes a conscious effort to buy USA products. I try to enforce the idea that we don't dislike another country's products but we should be supporting our own workers when possible. He gets a lot of smiles on Christmas or his birthday when he flips a gift over and pronounces "YES! It's made in the USA!" That brings a tear to his Grandpa's eyes.