Just Plain Wrong !

[pennwalk]

I read yesterday that they are closing the Visegrip plant and moving production to China. I wish they would make the executives who thought up that plan move to China. They don't deserve to be Americans. Better horde what ever US made Visegrips you may need.

Chris

 

[MossRoad]

I read they had 300 people there getting laid off. Now think about that. 300 people making pliers 5 days a week for decades and decades. I know I have about 5 or 6 pairs of vice grips. But the last time I actually bought a pair was probably 20 years ago. They last and last. I wonder how many pliers they make a week with 300 people and how many they have made since they were invented back in what, the 1800's wasn't it?

 

[Lasgambler]

'Just a sign of the times. I read that there has been 51 new McDonalds built in the New Orleans area since Katrina. I guess thats about 1500 new part-time jobs "flippin burgers".

 

[MikePA]

I read that there has been 51 new McDonalds built in the New Orleans area since Katrina. I guess thats about 1500 new part-time jobs "flippin burgers".

Yep, they should just close those McDonalds. Who needs entry level jobs any way.

 

[Egon]

I'm wondering what the stockholders have to say?

 

[Scooby074]

I knew something was up when the last pair of VG i bought 6 months ago had a 6mm allen socket in the adjuster bolt. Fit and finish wasnt what im used to either. Looks like they been sourcing their parts from china for a while, now they're just moving the rest pf the production there. Ill just buy the generic chinese knock offs now for half the price.

Sadly, it looks like there is going to be no tool manufacturers left in NA before long, except maybe Snap-On. Grey, Mac and Stanley already moved alot of their production overseas. Canadian Tire and Craftsman's supplier has too.

 

[kenmac]

Remember back in the 60-70's when all the plants were moving to japan ? I can remember when we called if japan junk.You are lucky to get things from japan now days. It's all about cheap labor = higher profits.Not to say I like it but, If you owned the company & you were paying employees $15.00-20.00 ?? per hr + benifits & you moved to china & the same labor cost is what $15.00-$20.00 ? per mo. No benifits.They are already having to compete with the chinese tool market. So it could be move or go under

 

[300UGUY]

Exactly!! In my old plant, our plant manager told us that everybody in the building could work for free, we still couldn't match the Chinese on cost.

 

[Scooby074]

I dont think this was a "move or go under" situation. This is purely profit driven. When I think locking pliers I think Vice Grips. VG's were sold at a premium price and were a quality product.

Their moving of production offshore has made me reconsider all future purchases of Vice grips and i likely will buy the knock offs or Grip on if i can get them locally. The same goes for all other Irwin products, they've moved most of their production offshore and the quality stinks!

Im employed in the manufacturing industry, and if we keep losing the $15-20/hr manufacturing jobs, who will be able to buy their products? I won't be spending 3 hours salary on $15 Vice grips when working at McDonalds.

Maybe if we made a conscious effort to buy North American sourced products instead of the lowest price, companies would get the message. The only thing big corporations seem to understand is profit at all costs. And most people think savings at all costs, no matter the quality or place of manufacture. We're shooting ourselves in the foot!

 

[DougM]

Question??
If they move off shore to save money WHY does the quality go done it would seem they could make a better pair of pliers for less money