A little under a year and a half ago, I noticed that Dewalt had started to promote a new “Tools of the Brave” campaign that patted themselves on the back for producing some products in the USA. I was extremely skeptical.
A couple of months before that, I posted my thoughts and feelings about Motorola’s assembled-in-the-USA campaign for their Moto-X phone. In that case, even if Motorola sold 20 million phones, the cost premium for assembling the phones in the USA instead of overseas would have still been less than 10% of their total Moto-X marketing budget.
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So there I was, thinking that this was some kind of a flashy marketing stunt.
Built in the USA with Global Materials? What does that even mean? Is that the same as Assembled in the USA? Or maybe the products were just finished or packaged here.
I’ve known about some of Dewalt’s Made in the USA with Global Materials products. Things like some tape measures and certain other hand tools are manufactured here, but not wholly from USA-sourced raw materials or parts. They’re also made with Global Materials.
When you have a cordless tool, such as a drill or impact driver, that’s built in the USA – what exactly is done here?
I had a hard-to-shake feeling that this was all just some marketing BS.
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And then I visited their Charlotte, North Carolina factory.
In case you weren’t aware, Dewalt paid for my flight and hotel accommodations, as is typical with media events.
My time at the factory was split between checking out some of Dewalt’s recent and upcoming product offerings, touring the facility with the plant manager, and “building” my very own 20V Max 3-speed brushless hammer drill.
The NC plant is not really what I pictured a cordless tool factory would look like. It was also a lot smaller than I envisioned.
Oh, and that #20 NASCAR car is not a permanent factory fixture.
The Charlotte, NC facility is one of 7 – yes SEVEN – Dewalt manufacturing centers. Products that are made at these locations include hand tools, power tools, power tool accessories, and sub-components for other tools.
Back in September of 2013, the Charlotte facility was mostly empty and unused distribution space. Now, there’s a motor production line and one more coming in 2 months. Adding tool production to this facility created more than 350+ new jobs.
I knew that Stanley Black & Decker already had a USA manufacturing base that produces tools for some of their brands. But 7 Dewalt plants? That surprised me.
Dewalt seems to be proud of the jobs they created here. Proud of the greater efficiency that allows them to better serve the needs of their customers. Proud that they’re able and willing to push forward with even more USA-built products. And they should be.
That’s not to say that there aren’t marketing motivations for Dewalt to bring some manufacturing back to the United States. In a press release about an upcoming expansion of a plant in Indiana, it says:
Given a choice between a product made in the United States and an identical one made abroad, 78 percent of Americans would rather buy the American product, according to a 2013 survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.
Well, yeah. If there are two products, with the only difference being that one is made here and the other overseas, give me the USA-made one.
So yes, selling more tools is probably a factor here, but it’s not the only factor. And perhaps not the most important factor.
I asked about the costs involved in building these tools in the USA vs. overseas, and was told that the cost to retailers and end-users are going to be the same. To me, that means that either Dewalt is eating the extra costs, or that maybe they managed to improve distribution efficiency and lower other costs enough to nearly balance things out.
I’ve got lot of photos and notes to go over, as well as some thinking to do. There’s much more I want to share about the couple of hours I spent at Dewalt’s facility. Oh, and plenty of cool new products to tell you about too! So check back soon!
This Built in the USA movement that Dewalt has embraced – it’s not temporary, and it’s not a veiled marketing stunt. Seeing one of Dewalt’s factories firsthand and finding it to be the real deal has left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I can’t say how many of the “approximately 14 million products” that Dewalt builds in the USA are actual tools and how many are power tool accessories. You can try to guess how that number breaks down into things like reciprocating blades and cordless power tools.
And the Global Materials aspect is going to be different for every tool. For one tool it might refer to the motor’s laminated armature core, for another it might refer to the brushless motor controller. For some others, it could be recycled steel (that’s how the global materials part of a tape measure was explained to me few years ago).
All I know is that Built in the USA with Global Materials is a great start in the right direction. No, it’s not quite the same as Made in the USA, but I’ll take that over Made in China any day.
I should also point out that the facility I visited was mostly an assembly plant. It’s also still a distribution center. I mentioned that there’s one motor production line, and another’s coming soon. But a great majority of the components come from elsewhere, including other USA-based facilities. Don’t jump to conclusion and assume that every component comes from outside the USA, because they don’t. That was my mistake too, until just a day ago.
I’m not as YAY, Dewalt! as I used to be. But give me some pom-poms, one yellow and black, the other red, white, and blue. I’ve got some good reasons to cheer for Dewalt today.
SawdustTX
Superb piece, great insight. I am not heavily invested in Milwaukee, and they are great tools. I started out buying them thinking they were at least US owned (the name Milwaukee….), but found out part way in they are primarily Chinese owned. Had I known what I do now, and especially with this new insight, I’d buy DeWalt in a heartbeat.
SawdustTX
I meant to type, “I am NOW heavily invested”….
Dean
You are correct about the Chinese ownership of the Milwaukee brand. Milwaukee Tools is ultimately owned by Techtronic Industries headquartered in Hong Kong.
Did you know Techtronic makes Ryobi, Craftsman, Hoover, Homelite and Rigid among others?
From the Wiki:
The Milwaukee Tool Corporation is a brand of Techtronic Industries, along with AEG, Ryobi, Hoover, Dirt Devil and Vax. Ownership history:
1924; The Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation was established by A. F. Siebert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Sold to Amstar.[1]
1986: Merrill Lynch acquired it.
1995 Sold to Atlas Copco.[2][3]
2005 sold to Techtronic.[4]
and Techtronic Wiki:
Techtronic Industries Company Limited (SEHK: 669, OTC Pink: TTNDY), Techtronic or TTI, is one of the world’s leading manufacturing and trading companies in electrical and electronic products. Its products include Milwaukee, AEG power tools, and Ryobi power tools and accessories, Ryobi and Homelite outdoor products, and Hoover US, Dirt Devil, and Vax floor care appliances.[1] It was established in 1985 as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) behind such brands as Craftsman, RIDGID (for Home Depot), Dirt Devil, Hart Tools and Stiletto Tools.[2] TTI is headquartered in Hong Kong, China.[3][4]
Nathan
funny I don’t buy those products either. I do occasionally look at the ridgid stuff but I’ve not ever bought any
guu
Unless you look at the stock holder list you can’t really claim TTI as Chinese owned. At least one of the two founders and current chairman is a German.
Nathan
as a corporate they pay corporate taxes on profits where again?
not the US
Mike
What they sell here / do business on etc they pay corporate taxes on in the USA.
russell whorton
Thank you for your information. I am a consumer of dewalt tools and have considered buying Milwaukee Tools I am a firm believer in buying American-made products. however I do have a 25-foot Milwaukee tape measure and I think this product is top-notch but I will continue to buy American
Adam Turnbull
BS. I want to buy their tools but am disgusted at their rush for profits as a typical 80s “profit above all” mantra. Dewalt should fire anyone with this thinking and just make slightly more expensive tools. They have a devoted following that would gladly pay just a bit more. I live in Japan now but want to support Union jobs so I will NOT buy Made in China crap. Its very very hard to find anything believe me.
Adam Turnbull
Oh and I vote with my wallet too. I pay double for a Dewalt after shipping to Japan than pay for a Made in China Ryobi . Wish there were others with principles
Stuccoguy
Exactly!! I am more than willing to pay a few bucks more for made in U.S.A! These tool companies are too much .. they want you to buy their tools at made in U.S.A. prices but manufacture in China!
If I want that I’ll go buy at Harbor Freight &pay appropriate price!
lou
I work with mexicans that tell me they have taken made in china stickers off material and put made in USA . So much for American made anything ? Are they going to snitch on bosses ? Hell no for fear of being sent back to the south.
Dan
You’re comment makes no damn sense. You work with “Mexicans” who fear deportation for doing things you were “told” are wrong. You work some the same damn company, man up and say something.
KPee
And the comment makes perfect sense they’re stating that items made in China come to America or they get old stock that was made in china then paid to remove labels and prints implying that and putting USA labels to make the main patriotic consumer pick “merican made” which if you read other comments more people would rather USA made items. Thus making more profits based on location of build. And how do you expect him to say something without losing employment
Charles Cowart
Had a shocking experience at WalMart the other day. ALL of their cordless tools were made in China. nearly ALL of their socket and wrench tools were made in China! It was truly a sickening experience and felt as though we have been sold out by WalMart for not at least offering comparable American made products. Truly….we need to recapture America’s tool manufacturing!
Pablo
I really hope it resonates with a lot of people as they do make great tools, they’re just heavily out marketed by Milwaukee currently on many levels. Milwaukee has that game on lock with heavily discounted tools and batteries, a stranglehold on shelf space in Home Depot, and a ton of bloggers cheerleading for them.
People on forums always beat the made in USA drum, but is it just a vocal minority, and are people voting with their wallets?
Their recent slow pace of tool releases and adoption of brushless hasn’t helped them either, as I hear of many people daily who switched just to have more tool selection or were clamoring for anything brushless.
OhioHead
The reason MKE is “out marketing” DeWalt now because most of the former “senior” leadership left DeWalt to work @ MKE! Anybody remember the 90’s/early 2000’s? I do and DeWalt was clearly out marketing MKE then!
I remember one DeWalt executive saying they (DeWalt) was a marketing company and not manufactring company……I am glad those DeWalt folks are no longer @ DeWalt & are at MKE now……….
Full disclosure I own both brand of tools and I follow both companies closely even though I do not work for either.
Nathan
You definitely work for Milwaukee…..
Jason
I worked for Milwaukee for 15 years. Many Americans lost their jobs in the years after being purchased by TTI. I was a CNC setup man so I got to stay at one of the only 2 manufacturing plants left. I ended up leaving for a better job. It just didn’t feel the same anymore.
Albert
Any idea as to when some new tools are coming out and which tools?
Stuart
Yes! But I’ll need few days to put things together.
mike aka Fazzman
Look on TIA(tools in action) they posted some stuff about new Dewalt items coming out soon.
adam
The only 20v tool announcement was over a month ago for a 20v miter saw. I also saw some safety googles last month. What else has been posted recently?
Stan
As much as I don’t think the CEO of Black and Decker Stanley gives a rat’s butt about American workers and only cares about profit, I will give them credit for having some humanity and decency by creating jobs and bringing back work as well.
Make NO mistake, If MUCH prefer 100% made in the United States of America, but considering the amount of power tools that are imported, mostly made in China, assembled in USA and made in USA of global components is better than nothing. Sadly, nothing is what has been commonplace in electronics for a long time now.
I’d gladly pay more money for a product that is American made, partially American made or at least supported some American jobs as I know how this feels to be hungry, not to have a job or know someone that doesn’t have a job as well as have bills to be paid. I practice what I “preach” and any chance I can buy American I do so. I just wish more people that live in the United States would open their minds and have more empathy for others.
Sadly, most people, at least that I met don’t care about country of origin or even quality, they just want what is “cheap” and a “great deal”. Some want items for next to nothing and aren’t capable of thinking beyond price. Yet, as Americans we need to support jobs here as more and more work will be offshored, hence a higher number of unemployment. That and let’s face it, the workers in China aren’t treated as well as they could. Not to mention other countries as well.
Then there is those who claim they support American jobs, but the second there is a Harbor Freight coupon or if the item is cheaper at Wallmart, these people shop there. Granted no one has a right to tell others what to do with money they earned, but at the same time, either you want the jobs or not.
There was a time in history when a vast majority of products, even electronics/power tools were actually 100% made in the United States of America. Sure the workforce and technology was MUCH different years-decades ago, but those were better instances in history.
Pablo
Let’s be real here. The idea is to use it as a marketing tool. On paper, they would never be able to justify the wage gap because it’s not in the interest of the shareholders.
The perceived difference in quality just isn’t there anymore. Chinese/Taiwanese manufacturing has on par with US manufacturing, or better. The reason it gets a bad rap is because when companies are out to cut cost, they often take cost cutting too far and end up with garbage. But see what Milwaukee, Bosch, etc. are putting out as they are rather high grade tools.
Not to say that they’re not doing Americans right by hiring here, but everything is multi-national nowadays. The CEO of SB&D answers to his shareholders, a large portion of which isn’t even in this country. They couldn’t give a crap if it was USA made or not, or if their employees are American or Mexican or Chinese.
They just want to put on enough of a show that someone who does care about country of origin (used VERY loosely here) might consider their wares.
Lenny
No doubt the labor in the US is higher than China. However when you factor in the cost of shipping the product to the US and the import duty that can sometimes offset the higher labor cost. Since Stanley Black and Decker is publicly owned I have no doubt that there is some sort of cost savings to make the product in the US or they wouldn’t be doing it.
ktash
As the price of fuel rises, it increases shipping costs. There can be scarcity of fuel outside the U.S. but not as much inside it. This all offsets the labor costs to some extent.
guu
Shipping by sea if by far the cheapest form of transport. The price of fuel has been going down.. With the expansion of the Panama canal large container ships can reach Eastern US directly further lowering shipping cost. Reasons for US-based manufacturing are found elsewhere
william woska
We as Americans must start to manufacture things in the USA or we will all be speaking Chinese
Crash
I am heavily invested in Milwaukee cordless but recently Product failures in a relatively new drill freezing up and I have noticeD the quality is not great. Switching to Dewalt thanks for the article. USA made products are quality.
logan
This is a joke to me. “Bringing jobs back to the US” wouldn’t be necessary if they hadn’t sent them to China to begin with.
Makita, my new brand (had Dewalt 20v until recently, but switched for the blower, radio and new beast drill), has never closed their American plant. Funny that, for a few years, Makita made more in the US than the “American” companies Dewalt and Milwaukee. It’s almost embarrassing that a Japanese company held its ground in the states over two so called American ones.
I’m glad SBD is bringing manufacturing back, but I haven’t forgotten that they abandoned us for profit margins with overseas workers. Many of my hand tools are from SBD brand Proto, so I’m not a complete hater, but I assume that robotics are the driving force behind this decision.
Toolfreak
I would guess that Dewalt is saving money by importing the pieces of the tools en masse, then having them “built” here, as in, put together to make a complete tool instead of having the kids over in China do the final steps in the assembly.
This saves them money in import taxes, since you can bring over unassembled parts and not pay the taxes that a finished, ready-for-sale product will. Lots of auto and outdoor equipment companies do this – import the pieces from abroad, assemble it inside the country, ta-da.
Better than nothing, sure, especially for the people and communities that have the jobs, but I’ll be on board when they bring back the manufacturing jobs and make all or almost all of the components they use to build the tools here in the USA.
Ivan
Actually, tools (like jewelry) are sent to the US in pieces and then assembled here because the importation tax is considerably higher for the finished products.
chuckles rust bucket
So made in the USA with Globally sourced parts has a nice warm fuzzy feeling to it, don’t it? So basically there doing like Harbor Freight, and the (everywhere flea market tool people) and taking a bunch of cheap parts and assembling them here, then calling it made in America?
Ja
I am heavily invested in dewalt and have pretty much converted to 20v minus my 18v DC988 hammer-drill with 750 uwo motor & cordless finish nailer. I been happy and patient for products.. I’m using my tools for 10 – 16 hrs a day. Not interested in other brands. Have used Makita grinders which I prefer, but had durability issues. I’ve used Milwaukee, not impressive enough to make me switch. Also owned some Bosch tools like there first gen oscillator, which all the teeth broke off of the head one by one after extended use. This is great that dewalt is creating jobs in this country and I’m more than pleased with the accuracy and durability of my tools
Pablo
This reminds me of my big pet peeve with DeWalt. UWO is not a thing. Please stop this crap.
Nathan
Do you have a better solution Pablo?
Mike
Where are the foundries and forges? Industrial process plants for the plastics and resins? Machine shops? Plastic molding and trimming facilities? Packaging and printing?
Or, to put it more simply, how many decades would these 7 ‘factories’ sit idle if a trade embargo with China was enacted tomorrow?
If a company wants to manufacture overseas that is fine. But this “BUILT IN USA *with global materials” moniker is even more cowardly and insulting than their “MADE IN USA *with global materials” for the Stanley brand. “A FEW PARTS PUT TOGETHER IN USA *with global materials” would be more accurate, but it just doesn’t seem like it would drive sales in this country. Normally I don’t get involved in domestic vs. import production, but wow does this thing make me angry.
Stuart
Stuff comes from everywhere. For a drill I asked about, the motor shaft is made here, armature in Mexico, magnet wire is wound around armature core here, injection molding is done here, and switch controller via outside source.
There were more USA-sourced components than I thought there would be.
john
You have to be realistic about the way the world is. Britain led the way in manufacturing through the Industrial Revolution and the US really made its mark with its manufacturing too.
But it is a different world now, the rest of the world is up to speed and for a global firm like Stanley Black and Decker they need to spread their manufacturing across it.
The relative cost of all consumable items has plummeted for example my Mum and Dad needed 4 months wages to buy their first washing machine! When I started 20 plus years back we used to put £1 a week into a pot as apprentices and 4yrs later we would go and spend the £200 on a very very basic 9.6v Makita cordless.
Unless people want to go back to a months wages for a basic tool then they have to accept Made in the US from Global Components as a good compromise.
We have had Made in the UK from Global Components stickers on Stanley products for a few years.
Jerry
I say good for DeWalt, in making a step back in the right direction. I wonder just how hard it would be, to build 100% USA made power tools in this day and age, especially brushless ones that require electronic controllers. There are some electronic components that just are not made in the USA at al any more, for one reason or another (usually because they either contain or their manufacture requires use of toxic materials or pollutants). I have also heard from people I know who import some manufactured goods, that the price differences aren’t as great as they used to be, for some things USA made vs. imported.
Anyhow, be it marketing ploy or not, DeWalt’s employing a few hundred people that would otherwise be working in China, is a good thing in my book.
Ben
Right step in the right direction because I will not support few American executives at Dewalt with my money as real workers lost their jobs. I would rather buy Made in China product from a Chinese company than Made in China from an American company! I will buy Made in Germany from a German company before I will buy Made in China from an American company.
OhioHead
The German companies (Bosch) are make most of their premium tools in China now………Skil (a Bosch company) had one of the most efficient manufacturing facilities in the US making saws (in Arkansas) and Bosch eventual closed it……
Tim
I call BS, for now. I was recently in a Lowes looking at power tools and saw the big flashy “Built in the USA” signs dewalt was pushing. It got my attention as I was considering buying a Dewalt product already. I read the sign and got that same warm feeling but when I looked at the 8 or 9 products proudly displayed with that sign not a single one was actually made here. Every piece was made in China. I promptly walked over to a competitors product, also made in China (but without the “made in US” markup for the dewalt), and walked out a happy camper. If they are going to run a big campaign like that they should wait until they actually have the product to sell with it. I’m waiting Dewalt….
Andrew
Just bought a Dewalt small angle grinder (DWE402). It was packaged with a large red, white and blue sticker claiming “Made in the USA with global materials”. The grinder’s ID tag states “Made in China”. Which is accurate?
Jon
My Ridgid drill/impact driver set is only about 6 months old. Since the Ridgid set has a lifetime warranty (batteries included) I don’t see myself ponying up for a new drill set any time soon (or ever if I’m lucky). I really wish Dewalt had made these Built in USA products available last year!
Ken
They did – they started being built here in early 2014. http://americanpride.dewalt.com/us-built-tools
Brian
Good for dewalt for making this work without increasing costs. When you can put an american to work without rigging the system, that’s an win.
The days of blind patriotism driving bad business decisions and high costs are no longer sustainable. The world is catching up and they are hungry too.
why should someone get paid more for the same job just because he’s american? patriotism? smells alot like racism.
Stuart
Cost of living usually factors into wages.
Brian
yeah, but we are talking about vastly different standards of “living”.
We, as a leading nation should put our advanced society and infrastructure to use. We should be engineers designing new technology, not factory workers assembling it.
We promote underachievement of youth through dis-proportionally high wages for jobs which lag the contribution that their peers achieve. I wonder how many would pay more attention in school if a HS dropout wasnt guaranteed $15 an hour at mcdonalds…
wait… this was about dewalt right? sorry lol
Ben
If I’ll want a Chinese product, I’ll buy it from Ryobi or Milwakee. As soon I’ll see Made in China on Knipex products, that’s the last time I buy it from them. I pay premium for made in Germany quality and engineering.
fred
Like the Japanese and others before them – I’m guessing that the Chinese worker may soon (if not already) be asking “why should we be paid less and suffer form poor work conditions and a lousy environment – just because we’re Chinese?”
Brian
for the record, you are right, they are. and alot of industry is now moving to africa and SA. which will go through the same cycle. All things will even out eventually… One day, a factory worker will earn the same wages no matter what country they are in. Some will go up… some will go down.
John
Don’t worry, a lot of them are complaining!
Dan-0
What !? Wow ! Racism !
Oh ! Also, I may have read this other wrong(not the racism crap)another. I think it said American companies that was made by Chinese, I didn’t think that an American company could be “owned” by Americans in China.
Maybe co-owned but had to be 51% or more owned by Chinese.
I think there are some good points here w/all your thoughts guys but we have to get back to manufacturing in the US & it can be 100% just as easy. Here is where I have a big problem w/it all.
When all our things left & went to China or wherever it went after leaving US, they went from making something (for example) for $1 to 10cents but the retail did not go from $10 to a $1 or $2-$3 (which they would have been making 3x more & passed on the savings to American consumer. It has gone to $20 ! With that, it was far less Quality, Lead in paint for kids toys, & just Throw Away junk. To that I want to go w/this for things in general, Why are things so Over Priced & We Pay It ? A new car or truck is $50,000 now & in 30s,40s, 50s, & on to 70s-80s a car/truck was about $7,000-$10,000 & had more steel & a much better for time a better auto, where had that HUGE PRICE COME FROM ?!
No not inflation of 3-4 % ! They (Big Business & Company’s ) Have Jacked us around for to long guys.
Now what does it cost to fix those cars/trucks, what use to be dealer price is now what the “Book” says time it takes & $50 per hour & even though it says 3hrs & takes 1 & then you take it back 5 times.
See where this is going, where does the cost stop ? We the Consumer does not benefit from this Low Cost of production ONLY the Companies like the big bankers w/their bonuses even after 08 CRASH !
We have to stand up & stop allowing or Stop Buying this Over Priced stuff. American made can make a good profit & company can do well. Maybe not make a Billion a year,may take 5 or 10 but We have to work for it ! Why Can’t They !
WE ALL WIN THEN, WHY NOT ?
Thank You & sorry so long but #1 is WE THE PEOPLE, HAVE TO STAND BACK TOGETHER AGAIN !
Like we did 30-40 years ago.
FOR ALL OF US, I saw it when I was still in school how we were being pulled apart & we have been.
I do believe AMERICA IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD ! We are just to Quite & Allow all that is going on guys. Believe in Each Other, Help your neighbor, Stand Together Again. Don’t Allow Police to our Government to Big business control us. Get back to True Americans.
If we can go to war for 20 years & cost Trillions of dollars, We Can Afford Free Education,Medical & All we need. No not a aspirin for $10 or all the rest or keep people who need pain medication for True Pain-Get It ! Not pass laws to keep addicts from getting drugs, just keeps needing people from getting medication. The same as gun control keeps Honest people from protecting their Families & not keep robbers or killers from getting guns, they will get them to kill just as addicts will drugs. All the rest that we know better. Thank You
I know it went off track but still the same just more of it to see, it all goes together. Stank Up Together !
Be Cool guys American to the end !
Rick Van Winkle
I bought a pepper grinder a few years ago. It had an American flag on the package. On further review, it was made in China, imported to Canada, and here is the kicker, “Proudly Filled in the USA”.
Benoit
Truth is that Chinese made products keep going up in price, and when all the other related costs are factored in, there might be very little difference in the end nowadays if products are made/assembled in NA or in China. Many manufacturers have already started moving their production to other countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, or actually just came back home in NA.
While Dewalt may use this “Built in the USA with global materials” marketing campaign to boost their sales, I’m suspecting that there’s a lot more under this situation than we can see. They won’t come back to NA just to please their customers, this is utter BS.
In fact, industrial spying is one of the main problem I can see. Back in the days they were forging steel, and the process was known since many years, there was very little to hide. But now that we are in an era where many products have lots of electronic inside, and the future success of those manufacturers rely heavily and directly on technology, it’s a question of survival. If the Chinese are too deeply involved in this cutting edge technology, you put yourself at great risks as a NA manufacturer to share and develop your technology with Chinese partners, just as it would be unthinkable to see Dewalt and Milwaukee work together to come up with a new technology. I think Dewalt will keep having parts made in China, but will most likely keep the cutting edge stuff in their own US factories.
It might also be part of a strategy to keep the Chinese on their toes, knowing that they can lose Dewalt’s business very quickly if Dewalt has the capabilities of making their tools 100% in NA.
Also, salaries have been going up steadily in China, and with everything else put together, shipping cost, taxes, and a little bit of corruption too, the manufacturing cost difference might not be that much anymore, especially if the US workers are kept under the treat that if they ask too much, the factory will close and they will lose their jobs. I’m sure the salaries those US Dewalt workers make now has nothing to do with what was being paid in the past.
Nathan
thanks – great article and that sheds some light on some questions I had on their stuff. although I bit the bullet and went yellow with my new cordless purchases – and I seem to be leaning yellow for other corded purchases.
firefly
Since we can’t always have the cake and eat it too. I am always curious to see what would you rather buy a product made in USA by a Chinese company or an American company with product made in China? At some point the line become blurrier and blurrier with globalization.
The other point that I also like to know is that I see a few American made fanatic in this blog. That is great and all. I, myself, also try to support American made product as much as possible. I am always curious though how many of those advocate are working both side of the line and not only telling everyone buy American made stuff but to also remind your friend and family working in the manufacturing trade to produce high quality American made product :). I said that for a reason. Not everything that I bought American made is high quality but it’s almost certain that I will pay the American made tag…
Nathan
well how about this – the whole fair trade thing.
go to china – buy a dewalt tool. well see if you can first, then check the prices.
Go to Japan – buy an american mark car brand – again if you can – let along afford it. Same in the EU, etc. everywhere else there are tariffs, or other means that leave the trade unbalanced in their favor. so why should we support them more so here?
Pete
I see it as only a marketing tool. People do indeed want to support the american economy. As it WAS- “do i buy the chineese drill in yellow or red?” To me red won every time. However i do support america and i will support american jobs when i can and dewalt knows that.
Im sure they have streamlined manufacturing and logistics to make up for some cost. Im sure also that dewalt has better QC and can maximise every dollar spent instead of having to process more warranties and exchanges.
Good on you dewalt! I will support when i can! Might be soon!
Chris Fyfe
I try to buy North Am. Products ( assuming quality is on a par ) , I could not buy made in Canada even if I wanted to . Let’s get on the cure about far eastern products , your cell phone is made there , ditto your tablet and laptop !
Hell, even your Norinko .45 is made there !
Chris
MinnesotaSteve
In manufacturing there is a feedback loop that occurs between engineering and assembly. The engineers will watch over the assembly process and either redesign a part or a process to make assembly easier with less rework and failures. This is hard to do when engineering is in US and assembly is over in China. I think companies like Dewalt are starting to recognize this, and realize that the actual cost to assemble each unit isn’t that much more than the Chinese especially when you factor in shipping and the oversight required.
Understand that even with Chinese manufacturing they probably still would have to take each and every tool and test them here in the US before packaging them for distribution. So there really isn’t a whole lot of savings.
Not to mention, this keeps the Diwolt branded tools off the market. 🙂
Hazstahl
The Stihl Virginia Beach , STIHL products are built in the United States from domestic and foreign parts and components.
Stihl factory in Germany makes saws ,products also from domestic and foreign parts and components , but can label the product Made in Germany . ( You rarely see here ” assembled in sweden or assembled in Germany , Built in Germany etc)
“Europe” vs USA have different labeling requirements
Tighter labeling requirements are better , similar to the US.
The Bosch 18V High torq li-ion impact wrench “sold all over the world” comes from one “factory” in the USA , where it is assembled in. USA label says “assembled in USA ” “Europe” label says Made in USA .
Constantino
Said this before and i will say it again ,in order for a company to successfully state a product is wholly made in the US or Canada or elsewhere everything from the nuts and bolts must be made in that specific country of origin.Free trade agreements have decimated the economy of the US and Canada and benefited only Mexico.Zero incentive for a company to innovate, employee, and progress in there own country when they can ship it off to Mexico and get it done for a fraction of the cost. This is why the economy is where its at and will continue promote job looses in the manufacturing sector,Because the minute profit margins come in to the picture the first thing noted is labour costs and where to make things cheaper.You know we live in a wonderful world with so many benefits its just unfortunate that government taxation laws and free trade agreements have promoted the exploitation and export of our industries!
mike lahey
Thank you for your info on Dewalt American made products.I am one of those guys that looks at every label and if it is not made in The United States of America,the greatest nation thanks to our Veterans,it gathers dust on the store shelf.We all know sometimes you have no choice,but American made will always be my choice.Sign me up for your newsletter and I will pass the word to my union brothers and sisters of any American made product you can supply me with.Thank you for supporting the American worker.
Graham
And yet my brand new Dewalt Impact Wrench which cost £350 has only lasted two months before it’s started making some horrible bearing noise. I was confused, how on earch could such an expesnive piece of American made kit have gone bad so quickly? Ah, there we go, “Made in the PRC” printed on the side. Total garbage.
Dave
There’s and old saying in the engineering world, “the French copy no one, and no one copies the French.” The Chinese copy everyone and NO ONE copies the Chinese. I have B&D, Dewalt, Porter Cable, Milwaukee tools, some from the late thirties to current, many my Grandfather’s. B&D went to cheap years ago, Dewalt’s quality has never returned from the AMF years, Milwaukee new stuff?, same abysmal quality as Ryobi, go to the SC plant and see the mounds of out of box failures. They can’t keep a battery format that they stick to.
We’ve been buying Makita for the last 32 years, supurb tools to those listed previously. Bosch right behind them. Just experience from using hundreds of corded and battery tools.
Nearoffutt
I prefer American made, and look for it when making a purchase. Often my desire for USA is NONE! What matters most for the cordless tools is the battery, charger. I have Borch, Craftsman, and Black and Decker cordless drills and none of them lasted a year. The batteries are all chinese made and just don’t last. It was the same with rechargeable AA and AAA. I found the Japanese rechargeable last. I can only fine chinese made C and D, so I just don’t buy them for my radio or tape player in the yard but run extension cords. Sadly, many companies have sold their birthright and are only a distribution center for chinese junk, or a licensing of the “brand name” and just collect token royalties.
Stuart
I have in front of me USA-made Rayovac C and D cell batteries that I purchased in November.
I believe Duracell makes some in the USA too.
Not all Rayovac batteries are made in USA, but all of the AAA and AA packs I bought during the holiday season are made here with global materials.
Richard
Just checked DeWatt out in Ace Hardware I’m both Malaysia and Philippines… all Made in China.
Can someone recommend a brand that isn’t?
Tom
Where in Europe (Ireland) can I buy Dewalt power tools made in US? Does anyone know?
Paul W Thomas
As a tradesman and company owner in the USA, I have directed all parts of my company to buy USA, only if there is no other choice will we buy from another country. We are associated with numerous investors, and looking to start up new Manufacturing right here in the USA, materials and workmanship. Isolate China and all the globalist bring an end to the NWO.
Mike
What a great idea, something must be done Chinese Own America without a firing a single shot .
John American
Keeping this thread alive in 2020. Like my Dad always said, “Buy American or buy your job.”
Kudos to Paul W Thomas’ post above! We all need to push for this and end global NWO thinking. Let each country be independent and not beholden to another. Imperialism, greed, foreign manufacturing…all lead back to the problem of taking advantage of another’s situation. I fly all over this planet and the Chinese are trashing people’s countries. We did it too. But we can demand better, fair trade.
We can build our own and help our neighbors instead of enriching some person (board, company leadership) who has no loyalty to the people making and buying their products.
We can demand manufacturing be clean too. No more rust-belt pollution like I grew up in! Closed plants and no corporate responsibility are a wave of the past.
Vote with your hard earned dollars as usual…it does way more good than political processes most of the time anyways. Do this first by sites like this – informing yourself! Kudos to all here and the site OP.
CHEERS!
Pintogary
I just bought a DeWalt drill. Right on it: “Made in Mexico”
Stuart
Only certain models are built/assembled in the USA, you have to look for the specific labeling.
Jarrett
Just bought a whole set of 20v brushless tools, drill/impact/saw/multitool/sander/recip….all made in Mexico, batteries from China.
Stuart
Only certain SKUs are built in the USA, and they’re usually clearly marked as such in stores.