Made In The US [Archive] - M4Carbine.net Forums

WillBrink

10-30-12, 07:31

MADE IN AMERICA

Below is a list of sites covering goods and companies still produced in the USA. Please use these sites to see if something you plan to buy us USA produced.

If you have others to recommend, post them in this thread.

www.stillmadeinusa.com
www.americansworking.com
www.madeinamericastore.com
www.madeinusaforever.com
www.made-in.us.com

and:

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/page/map-find-made-america-goods-13917383

Belmont31R

10-30-12, 19:49

Do they separate union produced vs. non union?

Would rather buy overseas than union made....:p

WillBrink

10-30-12, 20:05

Do they separate union produced vs. non union?

Would rather buy overseas than union made....:p

No idea, but you could always inquire and see if one does so you can give them your business and support non union US biz.

nineteenkilo

10-30-12, 20:13

Thanks for the share Will. I try to buy American when I can.

Belmont31R

10-30-12, 20:21

No idea, but you could always inquire and see if one does so you can give them your business and support non union US biz.

I do as a general rule anyways. Just don't want "support American made" to turn into supporting socialist supporting unions.

500grains

10-30-12, 20:51

My wife is from China. She advises people not to buy stuff made in China.

I try to buy non-union U.S. made when available. But I buy Jap stuff before buying US union made.

Straight Shooter

10-30-12, 20:52

Belmont31R

10-30-12, 21:47

I agree with Belmont31R-
Im looking to buy my first new vehicle, a truck or SUV, after first of next year, and I am VERY torn about getting what I WANT, vs. not supporting a UAW auto maker. I absolutely wont buy a Ford, and GM can flat out kiss both sides of my ass.
Got a LOT of looking to do.

Just bought a jap made Mazda 3. Very happy with it. Also owned a Jap made 350Z. Very happy with it. Would rather support Japanese workers than American lazy pot smoking UAW workers who Obama supports and vice versa.

Straight Shooter

10-30-12, 22:00

Belmont21R-
You, sir...are a wordsmith!:D
I feel exactly the same way!!
Oh, yeah, THANKS WILLBRINK for the info. I am ANAL about buying USA MADE stuff when possible. Drives people nuts sometime.
And I dont give a damn.

RogerinTPA

10-30-12, 22:08

Good Thread Will. Thanks for posting those links.

Jer

10-31-12, 10:48

chadbag

10-31-12, 13:57

Not to stir the pot but some would argue that blindly buying 'Made in the USA' for decades has gotten us to where we are. We've rewarded stale ideas and products for too long to where we can no longer compete on the world stage in most areas where other companies have had to innovate and create to earn business. This doesn't mean I go out of my way to not buy US made products but I just suggest doing your research and buying where products are close or trending upwards. Support upstart companies with great ideas and business models. Sometimes these downturns can spawn the greatest ideas, products and companies if we don't squash them by bailing out the corporations that got us there to begin with.

Just my take. No need for a debate as I'm not saying that is how YOU should think and I realize several don't support this stance and appreciate their take since we're all just trying to help the country we love. If either answer were w/o flaw I don't think we'd be having this conversation right now anyway.

While I try to "Buy USA", it mostly is in reference to US Companies that manufacture elsewhere.

If the product is being sold by a foreign company, under their own name, and manufactured there, I have no problem buying it here if it suits my needs.

My problem is with US companies that export their labor and import their cheap products and still claim to be US companies.

I drive a VW, and it is not one of the new made in the USA VWs, and I have no problem with it since VW is a German company and I expect them to not be made in the USA. However, Chevy or Chrysler or Ford are US companies and shouldn't be manufacturing in China or Mexico and I won't knowingly buy if they are, unless they are the only choice.

As an example, almost no consumer electronics are made in the USA so we buy Chinese or Taiwan or Vietnam or Japan or Korean made Galaxy or iPhone phones, computers, etc. Not really a problem, anymore, since the US does not have anyone making that sort of thing (nor could we any more).

But, given what today is, I refuse to buy Hershey candy for Halloween or anything. I don't buy Hershey Syrup or cocoa powder either. A few years ago Hershey closed its US plants for candy and similar items and moved them all to Mexico. Since then, no Hershey for me. As a US company, they should make their stuff in the US. I have no problem buying Nestlé though since they are not a US company, so having candy made in Europe or wherever is OK with me.

Hope that makes sense.

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WillBrink

10-31-12, 14:08

While I try to "Buy USA", it mostly is in reference to US Companies that manufacture elsewhere.

If the product is being sold by a foreign company, under their own name, and manufactured there, I have no problem buying it here if it suits my needs.

My problem is with US companies that export their labor and import their cheap products and still claim to be US companies.

I drive a VW, and it is not one of the new made in the USA VWs, and I have no problem with it since VW is a German company and I expect them to not be made in the USA. However, Chevy or Chrysler or Ford are US companies and shouldn't be manufacturing in China or Mexico and I won't knowingly buy if they are, unless they are the only choice.

As an example, almost no consumer electronics are made in the USA so we buy Chinese or Taiwan or Vietnam or Japan or Korean made Galaxy or iPhone phones, computers, etc. Not really a problem, anymore, since the US does not have anyone making that sort of thing (nor could we any more).

But, given what today is, I refuse to buy Hershey candy for Halloween or anything. I don't buy Hershey Syrup or cocoa powder either. A few years ago Hershey closed its US plants for candy and similar items and moved them all to Mexico. Since then, no Hershey for me. As a US company, they should make their stuff in the US. I have no problem buying Nestlé though since they are not a US company, so having candy made in Europe or wherever is OK with me.

Hope that makes sense.

----

Actually, the above brings up a Q I always have. I purchase a Toyota built in the US for example. They employ lots of people, pay taxes (as far as I know), make a great car, and I believe there's no unions in those plants, etc.

So is that a net benefit to the US and or US worker? Seems like it should be to me, but I don't know what net benefit is, like the majority of profits go back to Japan I'd think, but they should being a Japanese company and all that.

Or is it a net loss for other reasons? :help:

These types of set ups often confuse me as to helping/hurting domestic business.

chadbag

10-31-12, 14:15

Actually, the above brings up a Q I always have. I purchase a Toyota built in the US for example. They employ lots of people, pay taxes (as far as I know), make a great car, and I believe there's no unions in those plants, etc.

So is that a net benefit to the US and or US worker? Seems like it should be to me, but I don't know what net benefit is, like the majority of profits go back to Japan I'd think, but they should being a Japanese company and all that.

Or is it a net loss for other reasons? :help:

These types of set ups often confuse me as to helping/hurting domestic business.

Personally, I try and purchase the best product for my needs. I temper that with trying to avoid US companies that manufacture overseas, if possible. Not always possible.

Toyota builds cars in the US. A lot of the parts they use in those cars are sourced from US manufacturers. The dealers are run by US companies (in most cases -- I am not aware of any counter cases). The workers are US workers. They pay taxes at certain levels on this production etc. I think the US comes out pretty well in the equation. Some of the profits may go back to Japan, which is to be expected, as it is a Japanese company. Some will stay for further investment in capability. Toyota, I believe, also runs R&D&D (last D is Design) facilities in the US (Kali?) as well.

If the Toyota fits your needs, then buy it. Personally I find them boring, but my needs are not your needs.

I tend to agree with Belmont13 that if I can avoid it, I will avoid union made US stuff if there is an acceptable alternative. Not always possible. Luckily, all GM and Ford vehicles, and most Chrysler, I find uninspiring, so I don't have to make that decision. I do have a Dodge truck, which I bought for its engine -- Cummins diesel -- not because it was Dodge. I also plan on driving the truck for another 20 years if I can. (It has slightly less than 30k miles and is a 2006 -- I drive the car whenever I can due to low "gas mileage" and high cost of fuel). So I won't be forced to make another truck decision for many years if I can help it.

---

WillBrink

10-31-12, 14:36

Personally, I try and purchase the best product for my needs. I temper that with trying to avoid US companies that manufacture overseas, if possible. Not always possible.

Toyota builds cars in the US. A lot of the parts they use in those cars are sourced from US manufacturers. The dealers are run by US companies (in most cases -- I am not aware of any counter cases). The workers are US workers. They pay taxes at certain levels on this production etc. I think the US comes out pretty well in the equation. Some of the profits may go back to Japan, which is to be expected, as it is a Japanese company. Some will stay for further investment in capability. Toyota, I believe, also runs R&D&D (last D is Design) facilities in the US (Kali?) as well.

If the Toyota fits your needs, then buy it. Personally I find them boring, but my needs are not your needs.

I tend to agree with Belmont13 that if I can avoid it, I will avoid union made US stuff if there is an acceptable alternative. Not always possible. Luckily, all GM and Ford vehicles, and most Chrysler, I find uninspiring, so I don't have to make that decision. I do have a Dodge truck, which I bought for its engine -- Cummins diesel -- not because it was Dodge. I also plan on driving the truck for another 20 years if I can. (It has slightly less than 30k miles and is a 2006 -- I drive the car whenever I can due to low "gas mileage" and high cost of fuel). So I won't be forced to make another truck decision for many years if I can help it.

---

Mostly a theoretical question, but just went from a Subaru (also built in the US) to a Toyota Rav4 V6 Sport, which I like a lot and fits my needs and saved me some $$$ over the Subaru.

Personally, I prefer Japanese vehicals and always have (had Nissan, subaru, Mazda, and now Toyota) and although I too try and purchase the best product for my needs, if I can, rather give the business to US or company benefiting US, and it sounds like I achieve it with car choice.

Crow Hunter

10-31-12, 14:40

Actually, the above brings up a Q I always have. I purchase a Toyota built in the US for example. They employ lots of people, pay taxes (as far as I know), make a great car, and I believe there's no unions in those plants, etc.

So is that a net benefit to the US and or US worker? Seems like it should be to me, but I don't know what net benefit is, like the majority of profits go back to Japan I'd think, but they should being a Japanese company and all that.

Having previously worked for a Toyoda Boshuku owned company and a German owned company, you are absolutely helping American workers.

Buying a Toyota Camry for instance, one produced at TMMK (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky) gives money not only to the employees at the TMMK plant but Toyota purchases a very large percentage of their components from US manufacturing companies as well. Toyota even requires many of their suppliers to set up shop within a specified distance from the assembly plant to prevent lost time due to CKD parts (what we used to call Japanese parts) from getting hung up in customs or getting stuck on a ship due to teamsters strikes.

When I used to work for Denso, almost all of our parts went to US factories, although some went to TMMC, in Canada.

This is a huge trickle down effect.

Also, many US subsidiaries of off shore coporations keep their profits within the US and pay a "royalty" to the home country to use the name/trademark and normally put their profits back into the US company to acquire additional equipment/tooling/office space etc. (That is what the German company I worked for did)

When you buy a vehicle, open the drivers side door and see where it was put together. There should be a sticker there telling which facility produced the vehicle and where it is. You can pop the hood/look underneath too and see where many of the parts were manufactured, if you know what to look for.

The only Toyota plant that was UAW was NUMMI in San Jose, from what I remember. They were a joint venture between Toyota and GM and were required to be UAW.

Also, just because it is an American brand, it doesn't mean that it was assembled in the US or even using US manufactured parts.

Jer

10-31-12, 15:31

Personally I own a Kia Optima because it's the best car for the money right now. It's an added bonus that it's made in the US even though the profits go back to South Korea. There are still LOTS of jobs here in the US thanks to this car and as much as it pains me to say it that's more than the 'domestic' car manufacturers can claim. To your point... how much of that money do we see? I prefer to have the jobs here and the corporate profits in Korea than Corporate profits here and jobs in Mexico & Canada if all other things are equal.

BTW, this Optima is the shit! Makes my 2008 Audi A4 feel like a POS in comparison.

tb-av

10-31-12, 16:24

As an example, almost no consumer electronics are made in the USA so we buy Chinese or Taiwan or Vietnam or Japan or Korean made Galaxy or iPhone phones, computers, etc. Not really a problem, anymore, since the US does not have anyone making that sort of thing (nor could we any more).

----

Ironically, a lot of the gear used to create the media that the consumer gear is used for is made in the USA. A lot of the premium recording gear is USA made as well as many of the instruments.

chadbag

10-31-12, 16:47

Ironically, a lot of the gear used to create the media that the consumer gear is used for is made in the USA. A lot of the premium recording gear is USA made as well as many of the instruments.

You are right.

My neighbor works for Harman /Kardon or one of the subsidiaries in the same group as H/K.

And a lot of the parts, for example, of an iPhone are made in the USA and shipped to China for assembly. The CPU is made by Samsung in Texas. The Gorilla Glass is made in the USA. Many of the support chips etc are made in the USA. Probably the same for other brands.

I read somewhere that China gets about $10 in labor per iPhone. That is about it. Most of it, the price of the iPhone, went elsewhere including US made parts and US R&D. Unfortunately, due to stupid US tax policy of taxing it no matter the origin (most of the world taxes business profits based on origin), a lot of the money is left outside the US and cannot be brought back without a huge tax bite...

Apple has said that, while they wish they could, they cannot make iPhones in the US. There is not a facility nor the trained people (not the assembly line people, but the plant engineers and others higher up) to quickly set up manufacturing lines in the US to make mass produced things like iPhones. Which is too bad.

I would assume other companies would make similar statements about mass produced tablets, music players, cell phones, etc.

--
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WillBrink

10-31-12, 16:54

tb-av

10-31-12, 17:08

Yep,,, I saw one guitar amp builder on one of your links. I think it might be the BIL of one of my friends in the Roanoke/Salem area of VA.

There is a ton of high end audio gear made in USA.