MTH - Made in China or Korea?

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. Is the new MTH factory located in China or Korea. I've seen references to both.

[spankybird]

They may have ones in each. Korea is basically for engines and China for rolling stock.

And this too may have changed.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Joe, over the years the Koreans have become masters at working in BRASS. This is where almost all brass train models are made regardless of scale, are made. It is a relatively recent developement that the 3 rail O manufacturers have turned to making brass models. Brass can be made to hold much better detail than diecast metal can.

The Chineese have improved their skills in plastic injection molding, and diecast metal work. I Believe it is this fact combined with the cheap labor that has caused lionel and everyone else to move there.

What I would like to know is if the molds are still machined in the US and then shipped to China for production there.

By the way, brass work used to come from Japan, but they seemed to have lost out to Koera due to their cost of labor. Interesting world isn't it???[swg]

[Anonymous]

Most (if not all) of the diecast tooling is made in China for items produced there. The US "manufactures" that have moved to China have shipped their tooling out along with the jobs. The chance of ever getting thier tooling returned is ZERO!!

The Chinese are very shrewd business people, once they have your pattern work, tooling or technology they will keep it and cast you aside. So MANY businesses here in North America will find this out the hard way very soon!

[Buckeye Riveter]

Ken, you just hit a home run with your conclusion.

[eZAK]

I would just like to comment that the labor rate is a very small part of the equation.

The bigger reasons are eviromental concerns, insurance and taxes!

Our Gov. actually gives tax breaks to corps. who make money off shore and bring their 'profits' back.

[Anonymous]

Of course, Mikey and Samhongsa of Korea, which made all his trains, split the sheets several years ago. My understanding is that Korea has become too expensive anymore for mass produced trains, so the majors have left Korea and gone to China (K-Line was always produced soley in China).