My dear friend who was also a manufacturing superintendent for me called last night to let me know that the new Unisaw will be unveiled today at IWF and will have the "Made in America" badging.
"How can that be?" I asked. Well, it seems that all those decisions I (we) fought against have been reversed. The Brazilian motor will be gone in favor of a Marathon. Those chinese castings will be replaced with castings from, in my opinion, the best all around foundry in the country, Waupaca. So, with fabrication and assembly in Jackson, TN, the content will meet the requirement for "Made in America".
I expect it could be pricey. The cost benefit of a very efficient and nearly fully depreciated facility will not be there and I expect that all important overhead absorption volume will be down due to those disastrous decisions of the past. But it makes me feel good to see this happen, and I'm happy to see that B & D may actually get it where Pentair, didn't have a clue.
Wish I could be there to see it. I passed on IWF this year, it conflicting with a fishing/scalloping trip planned some time ago and it looks like TS Fay is going to wipe out that alternative.
Frank