Actually it would cost us more to "build again" one of our older models. Our new models are designed with better technology as well as to be less labor intensive on the production floor.
Better technology means lower warranty cost....so older models would cost more after warranty costs are added in. Newer models are designed with more efficient manufacturing in mind as well...remember we pay reasonable U.S. wages to our assembly personel....many imports are built with incredibly low paid workers. The average man hours to build the older technology products are much higher that the newer designs.
Trust me....there are no near future plans for a plasma system from Hypertherm that will compete on purchase price vs asian built imports. From a cost point of view it likely cannot be done, and from a performance point of view it is not within our corporate philosphy to take a step backwards.
Hypertherm is employee owned....these decisions are made by the employees....not by an overpaid director that is only interested in the bottom line.
Jim
