After we posted news about the sudden Stanley Vidmar and Lista merger announcement, we were contacted by Lista and asked to take down a logo we posted about several months ago. The logo featured an American flag-themed tool cabinet with the words “Made in the USA since 1968.”
Lista has assured us that they are not closing down their US factories and sending production overseas. What happened is that the FTC updated their regulations regarding the percentage of foreign materials that can be used in a product when saying it is made in the USA. Since a large proportion of Lista’s cabinets and storage products are fabricated from imported steel, they can no longer advertise that the products are made in the USA.
We asked if they will now mention the products being Made in USA global materials instead, and were told that they’re going to stay away from a COO marketing angle in case the FTC guidelines change again.
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Long story short, Lista products are still as kick-ass as they’ve been, with the only changes being done to advertising and marketing language.
Patrick
Interesting, and great of Lista for making the changes clear. It’s difficult to make something in the US at all without “sourcing global components” as part of it. Probably easier for something like a roller cab which is mainly sheet metal and paint, but still difficult.
I wonder if this is the real reason behind Snap-on’s change as well, despite all the rumors out there?
Stuart
It’s hard to say about Snap-on or other companies. With Snap-on, a lot of users are worried that the absence of a clear “made in USA” designation signals a potential production shift in the near future.
What surprised me is that Lista has bee very proactive about erasing all traces of their past advertisements. To me this shows unprecedented integrity. Unless of course they received warning from the FTC to do so, but I very highly doubt it.
Anthony
not advertising your product as being made in the u.s.a cant be a good thing when people like me look for that. what happens 10 years from now when someone looking for a good american product thinks lista is just another chicom company???? if i were them,id use the “made in the u.s.a with global components” angle…