Countries That Make the Absolute Best Manufactured Product(s)

[BristolCavendish]

For the sake of discussion/comparison, I'm going to exclude items like home appliances and personal computers as global manufacturing under proprietary names tends to cloud the issue. The same can be said of certain automobile makes and we won't even get into the France vs Napa Valley wine debate (or internationally and locally crafted-beers).

To start things off:

Sweden - Hasselblad (perhaps the finest 2-1/4 film camera ever created).

Germany - Leica (they invented 35mm photography and raised the bar higher than any other manufacturer).

Switzerland - Patek Philippe (amongst other noteworthy watchmakers)

The Netherlands/Switzerland/Belgium - while I'm unfamiliar with the key chocolatiers, these three countries seem to have the corner on chocolates.

Great Britain - (1) Hardy split-bamboo fly rods (though originally a reel-maker).

Scotland - (1) high-end single-malt whiskey and (2) Linn turntables.

USA - (1) Snap-On tools (an industry standard). (2) Fender/Gibson/Martin guitars (although the older ones are better). (3) vintage tube stereo equipment (i.e. McIntosh). (3) 1950-70s era HP electronic test equipment

Here's where some folks can chime-in as there are other categories and countries to add as well. I would imagine that there is an eventual cut-off point (in terms of overall quality and innovation) as we downslide towards countries that have no on-site manufacturing (whether their own or under the supervision of major international companies). Then again, perhaps certain examples of primitive/cultural tooling has its place (somewhere).

[tamiya]

Australia - milk & milk powder

[tyler1980]

the British: Tailored menswear, Bespoke shoes, trench coats. Far superior to Italian suits/shoes IMO

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

the British: Tailored menswear, Bespoke shoes, trench coats. Far superior to Italian suits/shoes IMO

Agreed. There’s no comparison. With Italian, you’re paying for the style, not the quality.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

the British: Tailored menswear, Bespoke shoes, trench coats. Far superior to Italian suits/shoes IMO

It's a true pleasure to shop in London

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by tamiya

Australia - milk & milk powder

Tim Tams!

[Canefan1]

United States- Aircraft, Weapons. Boeing,General Dynamics,Lockheed Martin,Northrop Grumman.

[SDRider]

Accurate and AVET are both made in the USA and they make some excellent deep sea fishing reels. I have a few of each.

[droptopman]

USA still produces some excellent hand made shoes and clothes. Especially more casual loafers.

Definitely a fan of German cutlery and automobiles.

Netherlands--great coffee maker "Technivorm"

Cuba-cigars

Nicaragua-cigars

[BristolCavendish]

Last week, we had PG&E inspect the original 60 year-old Carrier gas furnace that came with our house. Outside of replacing the thermo-couple unit (a $10.00 replacement part), the technician told us that this older model would outlive us all and that the newer models are good for about 15-20 years or so.

That doesn't say a whole lot about current design/manufacturing in the United States. While 'planned obsolescence' is one thing, 'built to last' seems to be a disappearing concept in America.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Last week, we had PG&E inspect the original 60 year-old Carrier gas furnace that came with our house. Outside of replacing the thermo-couple unit (a $10.00 replacement part), the technician told us that this older model would outlive us all and that the newer models are good for about 15-20 years or so.

That doesn't say a whole lot about current design/manufacturing in the United States. While 'planned obsolescence' is one thing, 'built to last' seems to be a disappearing concept in America.

in general i think most manufactured goods are lower quality because they are cheaper. People generally don't want to pay for built to last IMO.

Perfect example is i travel a lot and have very expensive and high quality luggage. It will last forever. My mother buys cheap walmart luggage, doesnt travel a lot and has bought 4 suitcases in 7 years as they keep falling apart. The worst part is she will end up spending more on luggage than me in the long run because she didn't buy high quality to begin with.

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

Perfect example is i travel a lot and have very expensive and high quality luggage. It will last forever. My mother buys cheap walmart luggage, doesnt travel a lot and has bought 4 suitcases in 7 years as they keep falling apart. The worst part is she will end up spending more on luggage than me in the long run because she didn't buy high quality to begin with.

At the risk of sounding really 'old school' we still carry pristine-condition/vintage-era (1950's) all-leather luggage for short weekend retreats via automobile. It's always well-covered in the car trunk (with horse blankets) and we hand-carry our own luggage to our rooms (no tipping required and no potential damages). I can't even imagine what would become of them on a commercial airlines.

Looking back, while the ubiquitous Samsonite luggage/briefcases of the 1960s may have been 'built to last', their overall carrying weight (fully loaded) left something to be desired (even though you could beat the crap out of them). That old aluminum-framed/plastic design was impervious to abusive baggage handlers but eventually went the way of the dinosaur.

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

in general i think most manufactured goods are lower quality because they are cheaper. People generally don't want to pay for built to last IMO.

Perfect example is i travel a lot and have very expensive and high quality luggage. It will last forever. My mother buys cheap walmart luggage, doesnt travel a lot and has bought 4 suitcases in 7 years as they keep falling apart. The worst part is she will end up spending more on luggage than me in the long run because she didn't buy high quality to begin with.

My wife bought a suitcase in Florida a few years ago at a department store and has used it for travel probably 6-7 times since then. It is falling apart now but my Briggs & Riley bag still works and looks like new. I'll never buy cheap luggage again. I'm a big fan of Briggs & Riley.

[SearChart]

Japan: Seiko, Nintendo, Toyota
Belgium: Beer, Firearms (FN Herstal), chocolate
Netherlands: reefer

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Netherlands: reefer

Uh. While the Dutch are world-famous for their seed banks and hybridization techniques, some growers in California and British Columbia (amongst a few other regions) may beg to differ. Then again, many of them have refined their cultivation and breeding techniques based on the successful Dutch model/approach.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Uh. While the Dutch are world-famous for their seed banks and hybridization techniques, some growers in California and British Columbia (amongst a few other regions) may beg to differ. Then again, many of them have refined their cultivation and breeding techniques based on the successful Dutch model/approach.

This could be a similar discussion as French wine vs Napa valley.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by SearChart

This could be a similar discussion as French wine vs Napa valley.

he's got you there BC

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by SearChart

This could be a similar discussion as French wine vs Napa valley.

Originally Posted by tyler1980

he's got you there BC

Which is why I probably should have excluded cannabis alongside the highly subjective beer and wine category.

[daveathall]

I am a fan of American made items, Surefire, Zippo, Leatherman, Gerber, Spyderco, Stanley, Aladis, Chris Reeves, Especially the Sebenza, Scott Cook Lochsha.(Probably falls in the specialist manufacturer), Bexley Pens, Sonos, Levis and Oakley to name a few.

Possibly some of these may be manufactured in other countries but the QC and warranty comes from America.

[locutus49]

Scott Cook's Lochsa has been a grail for me for many years, but could not snag one in my preferred materials and condition. Scott used to work for Chris Reeve, you probably knew that already.

Originally Posted by daveathall

I am a fan of American made items, Surefire, Zippo, Leatherman, Gerber, Spyderco, Stanley, Aladis, Chris Reeves, Especially the Sebenza, Scott Cook Lochsha.(Probably falls in the specialist manufacturer), Bexley Pens, Sonos, Levis and Oakley to name a few.

Possibly some of these may be manufactured in other countries but the QC and warranty comes from America.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Scott Cook's Lochsa has been a grail for me for many years, but could not snag one in my preferred materials and condition. Scott used to work for Chris Reeve, you probably knew that already.

I had one some years ago but it went when I sold my collection, It was a marvel of engineering precision, I should have kept it.

[SearChart]

United States: Red Wing boots.

[Abdullah71601]

US - chicken

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Lets get to the more important question...
Which country produces the best women?

That's an international/regional/cultural consideration Paul. Considering the theme from The Beachboy's California Girls, it might be advisable to invite them all to San Diego. Then you can decide.

Originally Posted by Alexwwjd

This is a very subjective question...

In regards to your follow-up to Paul's post/query, it's definitely a very subjective question. Is manufacturing as in various forms of women's cosmetic surgeries/treatments also part of the equation?

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

BC, If you’re willing to accept a product of an environment as a manufactured product, then I say Nigeria produces the best scammers. Wes

Why not? It's kind of like Abdullah's subtle reference to 'manufactured' U.S. chickens.

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

US - chicken

Originally Posted by Alexwwjd

Mexico : Piñatas

Yep. No one makes a piñata like those imported from Mexico and sometimes it's a shame to break them.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Why not? It's kind of like Abdullah's subtle reference to 'manufactured' U.S. chickens.

The US produces about 40 billion pounds of chicken a year, and is the world's largest chicken exporter. Which requires a modern manufacturing process to produce high volume, safe to eat product. From breeder hens laying eggs to final packaging, chicken production employs the most modern manufacturing and production methodologies.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

The US produces about 40 billion pounds of chicken a year, and is the world's largest chicken exporter. Which requires a modern manufacturing process to produce high volume, safe to eat product. From breeder hens laying eggs to final packaging, chicken production employs the most modern manufacturing and production methodologies.

i wouldn't count high density chicken farms as high quality or the "best". Those chickens can't even stand up since they are packed in so tightly and are so fat they fall over. Plus they are pumped full of antibiotics. Free range would be quality to me. Quantity is not the same as quality.

The manufacturing process might be excellent but the raw material (chickens) isnt so the end product can't be the best.

[greggsiam]

US/Silicon Valley - best technology companies

Germany - Sig Sauer, HK

Sweden - Mora knives (best inexpensive knives)

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i wouldn't count high density chicken farms as high quality or the "best". Those chickens can't even stand up since they are packed in so tightly and are so fat they fall over. Plus they are pumped full of antibiotics. Free range would be quality to me. Quantity is not the same as quality.

The manufacturing process might be excellent but the raw material (chickens) isnt so the end product can't be the best.

You’re first paragraph is wrong on every point. The chickens walk freely in the houses from food to water to rest. None of the big producers use antibiotics anymore (haven’t for years). And the birds are lean, low fat, high muscle percentage (fat is waste in the chicken business). The broiler breeds are selected for muscle quality, disease reistance, and growth rate.

Unless you are visiting your local farmer for your chicken, you are likely eating meat produced by the US method. True free range has high disease and predator loss, and low production rates. Which, drives costs up. Typically 8-10 times more expensive. Are you paying 10 times more for your chicken? If not, it’s produced using the US method.

[dysondiver]

Well I live in Northern Ireland , the ships from here may not have the best record , but every one has heard of at least one.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

Well I live in Northern Ireland , the ships from here may not have the best record , but every one has heard of at least one.

Thomas Pink shirts are made in Northern Ireland, I forget where, we went to the factory years ago.