The Difference with American Made Carbide Cutting Tools

We work and shop in a global marketplace. The cotton t-shirt you’re wearing, for example, might have been made with cotton from Arkansas that was shipped to Bangladesh to become a shirt, then shipped back to America before hitting your closet.

Products with multiple parts—cars, computers, appliances—can have multinational manufacturing and assembly systems. That’s why companies might use an “Assembled in the USA” tag, instead of saying, “Made in the USA.” Regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, the Made in the USA label indicates that “all or virtually all” of a product is domestically produced, manufactured, and assembled in the United States. It’s easier for products made from one material or component to boast of single-nation manufacturing.

Manufacturers choose facilities and supply chain systems—global or national—for reasons of economics, labor supply, or delivery schedules. Buyers make similar decisions for their own businesses. Let’s look at some of those situations related to Made in the USA. 

Does Made in the USA Matter? 

Buyers can have opinions, and they do, about the relative value of goods made in America. MITGI cutting tools are made in the USA, specifically at the company’s factory in Hutchinson, MN. What does that “Made in the USA” stamp signify? While a global system can have advantages, there may be reasons why or when you specifically choose to buy American.

Lead Times

When you order products from MITGI, the lead time is generally two weeks from order to delivery. With some custom orders and “quick-turn” production, you can obtain tools in as few as three days. When ordering cutting tools from a manufacturer in Europe, for example, lead time to delivery could take between four and eight weeks.

Communication & Collaboration

Precision machining work can require collaboration and consultation with a cutting tool manufacturer to decide on special tool coatings or to gain an understanding of a tool’s chip-removal capabilities. Working with engineers and technical support staff at a U.S.-based manufacturer allows communication during regular U.S. business hours. MITGI’s location in the Central Time zone adds convenience for manufacturers on either coast.

Supply Chain

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated supply chain difficulties across industries and the world. Post-Covid, companies of all types are learning to minimize potential problems related to product shipping and delivery. Working with a U.S.-based manufacturer may help alleviate much of the unpredictability related to shipping products.

Expectations

A precision machining business is built on managing expectations and meeting the needs of customers. Understanding the complete impact of working with a manufacturer of cutting tools—wherever that company is located—gives you the power to make the best decisions so you can properly manage expectations.

MITGI has, in its 30-year history, built a reputation for helping manufacturers solve problems for their customers. Specialized staff operate dozens of machines in an environment focused on producing the finest cutting tools in the U.S.A. Contact us to see how we help you succeed for your customers.