I recently ordered a Stanley pocket knife which arrived today. I was delighted to see that it was made in the UK! I always check before buying anything because I make a point of avoiding Chinese made products whenever possible and I am happy to pay a bit more for products especially if they are UK or European manufactured. Unfortunately it is not always possible to check when buying on line if the country of origin isn’t mentioned. A handy little knife for the man cave!
Made in the UK doesn't have the caché as it used to. The companies may be foreign and the profits may go abroad.
True, I appreciate that. All volume car manufacturers with UK factories are foreign owned for example. That said, they provide jobs and support some British owned suppliers so I suppose that’s the best we can hope for for the time being. Hopefully we will get a far-sighted Government with long term aims and a coherent industrial strategy at some point but I’m not holding my breath.
‘Made in the UK’ only guarantees that at least 50% of the manufacturing of the item was done in the UK.
My last salaried employment, I worked for a small UK firm. Made bespoke/low volume (mainly automotive) products. Designed in the UK and developed/built in the UK. Nearly all the component manufacturing was done in China to our drawings/solid models. Generally quality was ok for run of the mill stuff and a fraction of the UK quotes, but you may as well have not put tolerances on the drawings. Everything was to what their cnc machines could deliver, and when I asked about close tolerance parts, there answer was everything is +/- 0.2mm.
Any suggestions as to where I can buy quality (not Chinese) workshop equipment? Hydraulic press Anvil Pipe bender Pillar drill
Buy old 50's to 70's secondhand stuff from what was a reputable British manufacturer and get it refurbished if required is probably the only sure way. For anything new you would have to do a lot of research and questioning to establish it wasn't chinese stuff rebranded. (Most of the cheaper end volume suppliers I suspect to do this for high volume sales items). Otherwise be prepared to pay large amounts of cash if you want European Industrial quality kit.
If you have a farm/machinery auction venue local to you they are worth a visit, usually an entertaining morning with lots of weird and wonderful items. This is a good one near us that is well worth a visit: https://www.ylc.co.uk/november-machinery-results-&previous=574 Problem is you may come away with something you never knew you needed! They usually publish a list of lots in advance of the auction on their website. Get there early though! You will probably need to register in advance and get a bidding number.
The attitude that all Chinese made products are inferior is ridiculous, arrogant, and ill-informed. Obviously there are good and bad products coming out of China, but that’s the same with the UK and everywhere else. The decision is down to the buyer to research the product they are purchasing and pay according to the quality they need, or think they need. I’m an engineer by trade, and now a procurement manager in the Aviation industry, purchasing Electro-mechanical components, systems and assemblies for use in military and civil aircraft. Including advanced CANBUS PCB/As and integrated control systems. I have suppliers in China that constantly adhere to all the stringent requirements of the industry, and also suppliers in the UK that I’ve had to drop because for all their bravado and accreditations they simply cannot consistently meet the required standards that their competitors in China can. The standard of CNC machining in the UK is generally excellent for example, but there are many chancers that are soon exposed when working in our industry. When you are on your next flight out of the UK be glad that I did drop the UK suppliers that are liars, cheats, and just simply not good enough. Obviously there are also suppliers in China that I’ve dropped because they are not good enough, and suppliers in the UK who are up to scratch. But the point is it’s simply ridiculous to say they are all the same in either region. The advise to buy used and refurbish is excellent.
Simon, I didn’t say that all Chinese made products were inferior. I simply avoid buying them because I dislike the way the regime operates and all it stands for. It may be illogical I grant you because I probably use oil products from Saudi Arabia for example.
"Arrogant" is a bit harsh. Once bitten twice shy is perhaps more appropriate. I have old British tools that have stood the test of time. I've been very disappointed with some of the Chinese stuff. Some of which is downright dangerous. I would be very interested to know of any good Chinese brands. Or the matter any other recommendations.
@Geoffrey Lebowski said "Otherwise be prepared to pay large amounts of cash if you want European Industrial quality kit." I'm not adverse to paying for quality. Cheap tools can be a false economy and good ones can become heirlooms.
While i tend to agree (not all chinese stuff is shit) i would say that about 40% of the time (in that its good kit) - took a punt and bought a double din stereo (Joying) instead of a Pioneer, Kenwood etc etc...not cheap at 350 quid but still cheaper than 500+ for the brand name stuff....very pleased. Really good quality and, good support from the Chinese side... On the flip side some years ago my older brother (electrical engineer) attended an engineering show (Sweden) where his company showed off some sort of oil pipline valve (it was pretty clever) designed for very harsh remote use (artic, undersea etc etc) that could monitor the flow and volume of oil etc etc - the chinese turned up with the identical valve right down the to burr marks left by the lathe....i think they lasted about an hour before the filth turned up forcefully packed them up and put them on a plane home (apparently copyright laws are pretty strict over there!) - their stuff was confiscated...my brother said while it looked the same the materials they used wouldnt have lasted 5 mins.... Again on the opposite end of the spectrum ive got some folding brake and clutch levers on my z1000 that have been on there for approx 8years and theyre in perfect condition....and theyve been through 7 winters so far...!
Italy, Germany, France, Scandanavia...pretty much anywhere other than the UK. The only thing we are good at making in the UK is 'excuses'!
