Don't be surprised if this trend continues. Experts say that we will be at labor cost parity with China within about 3 years because of rapidly rising labor costs in China, combined with modern production techniques.

Let's hope that the unions don't screw it up again with excessive wage/benefit demands.

The article failed to mention that Element Electronics is currently not unionized. I wonder how long that will last before the union thugs begin vandalizing the plant and threatening the employees?

oh those damn union thugs...always thugging everything up.

though, how come china is demanding better wages too?

is it because slave labor just isnt right? perhaps.

Roy, I bet you cant wait for your child to be enslaved in some factory making pennies on the dollar with zero health insurance and their bodies failing before they are 30...isnt that your dream for your kid! I bet it is...who doesnt want to work hard jobs for little pay and crappy to no benefits?

we should all just be "hard working" ceo's and shareholders...thats what americans are good at, sitting on our butts telling other people what to do and collecting the handsome rewards.

Jessica,

The Boeing plant in SC, BMW plant in TN and numerous other plants that are not unionized aren't paying "slave" wages. Wake up to the 21st century. Unions are no longer the unions of the past. They are a wing of the Communist Party. You will be amazed at the worker/management relationship at non-union plants. They work as a team, not as adversaries.

Jessica, you and Harold Meyerson at the WashPost have simply got to get over your love affair with unions as the end-all, be-all to the American worker. Seriously, when the textile and furniture industries died in the American South, we didn't just take to our beds and file for welfare. We urged our lawmakers to write legislation making the region globally competitive and voila -- foreign direct investment started pouring in. Now, many American companies from the "Rust Belt" that off-shored their manufacturing jobs are bringing them back, but not to the "Rust Belt" -- rather the American South. Why? Because we retrained our workforce through community colleges and technical/vocational schools, and they have proven to be a highly productive, highly skilled labor force. Quite frankly, we are sick and tired of being the punching bag for those of you who think that unions are your salvation. Wake up and smell the paycheck.

Let's hope that the unions don't screw it up again with excessive wage/benefit demands.

Let's hope management doesn't screw it up with unsafe work conditions and increasing the speed on the assembly line to meet unrealistic quotas

What would be really nice is if a company known for making quality sets would do this...like maybe Samsung. Don't get me wrong I am glad that Element is pursuing this and think it is a great idea and huge selling point to be able to slap an "Assembled in America" on their TVs, but, as of right know, Element has a reputation of making cheap and poorly made TVs. Even though these couple of TVs would assembled here, they are still made of cheap components from China and still will be poor quality TVs. Hopefully, like the article states, they can start making all of the components here and have better control over the quality of their TVs and the components going in them and create even more jobs.

It's more than just the wages. Add to that the Higher fuel costs to transport from overseas AND the weaker US Dollar. Because of these three, manufacturing over here is looking better.

The other thing missing from the equasion is what long term tax abatements were thrown in by the State and Local governments.

Probably the biggest is the weaker dollar. This is that "QE" series that have been run over the last 3 years. QE1 was fine, but QE2 and beyond is causing the problem. QE is about the government printing more money than is not backed by an actual increase in wealth. Because of the devaluing of the dollar, foreign interest are asking and getting more money for their products. Here in the US, if you buy made in USA, you notice no difference. If you buy something imported, the prices increased by 20 - 30% over the last couple of years.

Road Warrior,

Why do you think the BMW plant and any other plant for that matter actually pay a decent wage and a safe workplace? They have to be competitive with other unionized plants. It was the unions who fought for workers to be treated fairly. You are probably just jealous that you don't have a union backing you. I wish I did.

Road Warrior, You may have a legitimate opinion regarding unions but you lose all credibility when you resort to asinine comments. "They are a wing of the Communist Party". That accusation is as out-dated as your view of unions. Apparently, you believe that management always wants what is best for their employees and would never take advantage of workers. Do you really think that the companies you cited would pay decent wages if not for the existence of the UAW and Teamsters? Those unions set the market rates for those jobs. Absent that influence, how much do you think they would offer employees?

THe UAW and Teamsters are nothing more than political arms. I work for a company that has 16 manufacturing facilities about half union and the other half non-union. The non-union plants pay better, are safer, better hours and easier jobs. The unions create a hostile work enviroment and turn people into robots.

Non-union wages are set by union wages. If there was no union wage/bene bar set then non-union would be 'take it or leave it.' The union tends to tinkle in the pool by taking generously when the market will bear it but holding their ground on concessions. It is their apparent greed and lack of insight that gives the union its bad rep.

Few remember the battles fought for child labor laws, safe work conditions, reasonable pay, and safe work conditons, or reasonable work hours. Today we just take for granted the cost paid in the past by workers looking for a fair share/treatment. Thank's for the past but it is time for the union to join the future and change for the times

HEY Stephanie Himango, Kevin Tibbles, and NBC News,

You missed the entire story here. The story SHOULD be “HOW IS THIS GUY STILL WALKING FREE”? Please look into this O'Shaunessy character! He has a VERY shady background. He is currently being sued in U.S. District Court for Minnesota for RICO, Comon Law Fraud, & Tortious Interference. He was the CEO of Polaroid when it was owned by the Petters Group. He was involved in a massive Ponzi Scheme and fraud. Google "michael o'shaunessy ponzi scheme" for more info!

62mga

When he is convicted come back to us, otherwise the spamming is unwelcome.

@allswell

MY POST IS NOT SPAM! Please buy a bunch of stock in Element if it goes public. You deserve to own what you believe in. If you did the google search, you would understand what I'm talking about.

@Plain: Samsung does have plants here in the United States, too...

MY POST IS NOT SPAM!

You post the same crock in multiple places, in giant letters, bolded.

What's more, its patently false. The instance of which you are so angry about is this: a bad loan sold to another bank, where the selling bank falsely claimed assurances by Petters Group.

The Petters group was not held at fault for this. Petters himself was arrested for the Ponzi scheme, however: "O'Shaughnessy, 42, of Eden Prairie, has not been charged in connection with the alleged investment fraud".

Next time, research your falsehoods a bit better.

@allswell

As I said befored, Please buy a bunch of Element stock. Put your money where your mouth is. Just Don't say you weren't warned. I posted 3 times here, and all 3 were different. If you think he had nothing to do with that Polaroid / Petters coruption, you probably believe Ruth Madoff is totally inocent too, right? Personally, I wouldn't trust this guy. He hasn't been found guilty .... yet, but you won't find my money in anything he's touched. I'm not that stupid.

I'm not that stupid.

No, but you are stupid enough to convict and accuse a man who hasn't even been charged or considered a person of interest in the case you accuse him of.

I'm fairly certain he'd be glad to know you aren't investing in him.

I also don't own stock...any stock, in any company, so there's no reason for me to buy or not buy stock in any new company.

Did a little research, this company IMHO is setting up to scam American investors by selling their worthless stock. This was how Vizio got their start. The Taiwanese set up a shell company making TVs in America just like this new company and then claimed huge sales and sold stocks at a highly inflated price. Once they got the money from the stock sales, all that money is sent back to Taiwan and the shell company goes bankruptcy. That money they stole is then used to create the company Vizio. Those big sale numbers were all fake from the shell company. Then a Chinese company did it again by creating an American company called Syntax Brilliance aka Olevia TV. This American company claimed big sales in America and China. Then sold a bunch of stocks and then goes bankruptcy. Most of those sale numbers were all fake. $300,000,000 in investor's money simply disappeared into Taiwan and China. We might be seeing that money coming back in the form as this new company. The CEO O'shaunessey might also be involved with fraud from his last company.

The Balance of Trade deficit between the USA and China will end when red-blooded Americans STOP shopping at WalMart and any stores which carry goods "Made in China", and when drivers STOP buying foreign made automobiles and trucks.....very simple....I understand that Republicans are all doing this today in a burst of genuine patriotism ! In fact, they are destroying their Glocks and AK-47's etc., in a spasm of pride for American made weapons.

Also, since the USA, with 5% of the World population, USES 25% of the Worlds DAILY oil-output,Republicans have pledged to use 80% lass gasoline and heating oil yearly, to teach those Arab buddies of the Bush Family a hard lesson !

A few years ago, China passed a LAW requiring ALL foreign owned companies to be Unionized...

Presently these companies are now 90% Unionized and the ONLY Union allowed in China is run by the Chinese Government. Even Walmart & McDonalds...

Last winter China raised their minimum wages by 30%. Thailand also raised their minimum wages by 40%, to $10+USD a day and college Grads with a BS, start @ $450+USD a month...

BTY - The companies yelling the loudest in Thailand about the wage hikes, were Chinese owned...

I also did not believe that there are still furniture manufacturers in US like Oak Canyon Manufacturing in Phoenix, AZ. They use plywood instead of the cheap MDF used by overseas factories and are also less expensive.

The ironic part of all this is that the Chinese market for some goods are growing large enough that companies are going to need to expand. Expand production in China - or - move off shore to save money and increase profits?

And so the destruction of Chinese manufacturing begins. Deja vu all over again.

American yes, Michigan no. Why not give other parts of the country a chance? Those jobs would be well-suited for places like Jackson, MS or Phenix City, AL

JohnSixty

America yes, particular state not relevant.

John - Start a business there.

JohnSixty,

Not that it matters, but I can't think of any place that needs it more than Detroit.

My wife and I do not own a large screen TV, she has suggested we get one, and I told her to sit closer the one we do have. Actually, I explained that we should wait until we see where we will live after retirement and then make a choice based on what fits best in our current or new house. If we decide to get one, I will now definitely look for the Element Electronics brand, and even if it costs a little more, I will still be motivated to buy it. Maybe the worthless slugs we have in Congress don't care about the Middle Class worker anymore, but maybe I can contribute a little to help in this way. Hope others feel the same way.

David B., Gulf Vet "JohnSixty,Not that it matters, but I can't think of any place that needs it more than Detroit. "

Detroit is a union town, and union demands for high wages and benefits, combined with an unskilled workforce will make that almost impossible.

Assembly is not exactly "manufacturing". Companies like Dell assemble computers comprised of parts manufactured everywhere but Dell. Televisions are put together pretty much the same way. When the entire process is here we can take pride in a "made in America" product, until then it is still assembly done by cheap labor.

Wow, way to root for your country, Roy. Pathetic.

My dad designed electronics, and I remember him saying back in the 1960's that you could no longer assemble a radio or television of all US made parts.

Now you'd be hard pressed to find ANY US parts. Production of most electronic components moved off shore a long time ago.

So cheers for Element. I just hope they are buying quality parts.

IF American cities and states would give the same PROPERTY TAX BREAKS to American companies, they give TOYOTA, HONDA, and other foreign manufactuers, American would have more TV's manufactured here. Even one brand that claims they are an American company, manufactures 51% of it's TV's in China.

High-end American audio equipment even bests its German competition. The best professional headphones you can get anywhere in the world are the Grado PS1000s, manufactured right here in America (Brooklyn, N.Y.), just as an example.

I don't expect America to rival China in the output of cheap, mass-produced electronics. But I do expect there to be a resurgence of durable, quality products engineered and manufactured right here in America, especially in the high-end market. Like Grado, there will be many reasons to stop talking about German engineering (VW advertisers, I'm looking at you) as if it were better than what we can do here.

Chuck-2258469 - There are American cities and states that give property tax breaks to American Corporations. If we really want to do this right, tell the GOP that we are not giving tax credits to American corporations that export their jobs to other countries. Tell them, we give you tax credits if you create jobs in the United States.

ItsAboutTime...how about we tell ALL POLITICIANS that? Doesn;t seem lik either side is actually serious in this. But way to go on bringing your bigoted politics into this!

AndresTM, I'm sorry but nothing beats Sennheiser when it comes to headphones. Everything else sounds like a toy to me.

Also, Germany is best when it comes to turntables. I have yet to see anything that comes near a Thorens.

And, I don't mean to rub it in, but another marvel of German engineer I have is my Harmon/kardon PM665, a beast of a sound amplifier. An integrated amplifier the likes of which I have yet to see in the US.

*** harman/kardon. Sorry.

Chuck-2258469

Last I checked both Boeing and Ford were American, and they got the same money as Honda or Toyota, and many other companies. Every other week I here of some company getting tax breaks to open in NC or SC, companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook are few that come to mind.

You see Chuck, to get that money you need to be in a position to build a new plant or office building that brings new jobs to an area, then regardless who you are you get money.

Olias, I respect your opinion, but remember that it's just that, your opinion. I'm speaking based on the fact that professional reviewers have placed the Grado PS1000s above the best Sennheiser has to offer (the HD 800s). I understand that Sennheiser has a cult-following almost like Apple (proportionally speaking), but really, it doesn't contribute to your credibility to speak of them as if they were the only option out there. The fact that you speak of U.S. alternatives as sounding like toys in comparison makes me think that you believed I was referring to Bose or Klipsch when I talked about U.S. brands besting their German competition and, in fact, don't know much about Grado's work. Try them, seriously. I don't guarantee you that you'll be converted and will think that the HD 800s are "toys" in comparison, but I assure you that you will come to respect them, at the very least, as the credible alternative that they are, and hopefully you'll even be able to see why professional reviewers prefer them.

The simple fact is that manufacturing or any other labor related service including high end engineering, design, financial and many other areas will migrate to the place where the bottom line is least. Talk about loyalty to country, your neighbor and others all you want, what it comes down to is how do Corporate Executives maximize the return on investment for the "SHAREHOLDER". Executives are legally bound to look after the "SHAREHOLDER's Interests" first. If the employee welfare is a beneficiary due to the inherent effort to maximize Shareholder returns then all is well and good. We can construct legislation and statutes all day long to protect our labor markets but it will backfire. Ask the Soviets how well their efforts worked. You want manufacturing in the US then create a work zone which will allow Corporations to earn more Return on Investments and not only will you have more American Manufacturing then you will want, you will have to beat off foreign corporations trying to manufacture in the US. This is not to say let business run roughshod but until we create a place were costs are lower than other markets we will not have a flourishing manufacturing sector such as existed in the 50's and 60's.

+1

Charlie well said.....

Charlie

We had import controls here in the US prior to 1981! Some of the largest expansions to the economy happened then.

Me too. Was getting ready to by this weekend. I think I will wait until they arrive. Outstanding. Dennis Oleary can eat it.

PLEASE, before you spend any money, please look into this O'Shaunessy character! He has a VERY shady background. He is currently being sued in U.S. District Court for Minnesota for RICO, Comon Law Fraud, & Tortious Interference. He was the CEO of Polaroid when it was owned by the Petters Group. He was involved in a massive Ponzi Scheme and fraud. Google "michael o'shaunessy ponzi scheme" for more info!

Ashley Furniture is made in Arcadia WI, a really really small town up in the beautiful hill country.

I hope they really have USA quality. Remember the parts are still made in China. The secret for them is to "burn-in" and test the TV sets before they are shipped out to be purchased by the consumers.

When I purchased my first computer years ago it was burn-in for about three days before I was able to pick it up. It never had a problem. Some of the DVD players/burners in PCs sold these days don't last very long.

Did you make our Sony Trinitron? We bought it in 1997, still works very well.

Bob, are you blaming the "engineers that became managers..." for getting the plant closed? Do you not think there were, or might have been, other MAJOR factors that may have been the real problem.

With some of the highest taxes for businesses, large and small, in the world, all in the name of supporting the "ME" generation, a lot of "bean counters" and lawyers are telling the CEO's to move manufacturing offshore, to increase the returns for their shareholders.

And that is only part of the problem. There is a mindset in Washington, D.C. having nothing to do with actually understanding business, and the entire nation, at all. Until the incentive is returned to our nation, stories like this will be in the minority, instead of commonplace.

Frosty - please hand that back to the reich wing! 50% of corporates did NOT pay taxes last year. The average taxes paid by the fortune 500 hundred companies was about 15%, and that excludes their off-shore accounts. Yes, we do have one of the highest corporate tax rates on the books. But, given all of the loop-holes that these guys exercise and their off-shore accounts, some analysts say that the average taxes paid by corporates is in the region of 9% - one of the lowest in the world.

Did you work there? The money that was wasted in the last 6 years that I worked there was incredible! It makes me sick to think about it.

I don't know. I saw a lot of TVs on pallets behind the one guy. The area where the workers were seemed awfully empty but that's an assembly area, so other than what they're working on, maybe that's normal.

I've heard of Element before. I'd like to see some quality tests done before I'd decide to buy one. No sense throwing money into the wind.

Robbie...way to make huge leaps in logic and assumption!

@Robbie the robot

You are probably correct. See my post @ 6.2. Mike O'Shaunessy is a VERY shady character. I wouldn't buy one of these things if they paid me to take it! Google "michael o'shaunessy ponzi scheme" for more info.

So much for hope and team spirit Robbie.....lol.....Love that conservative attitude. Just hate folks going against large profits at the expense of your middle class American worker.....what a shame.

Its American owned....working in America...using American workers...with Chinese base parts.

Explain how this company is from China. Or are you just grenade trolling?

Willie... That common sense idea came from Henry Ford. He realized he would need to pay his workers enough to afford the product they made.

Ford, the company to make an American car that could not only beat Ferrari on European tracks, but was good enough for the snobbish Top Gear hosts to buy one and not stop talking about it.

the company i know that still manufactures vacuum tube is in one of the former eastern block country. with all the high tech gadgets and advancement in electronics here in the U.S., i am sure we can bring the manufacturing back here. there are times manpower is more superior than automated process. if manpower is required to do certain manufacturing process for superior workmanship, so be it.

working people are thinking people

Sounds more like a threat to the religious right to me. After all, blind faith without thought seems the current Republican Party mantra.

then we should first get rid of obama and his buddies in the house and senate.

Get rid of the repubs...there, I fixed it for you.... If the Repubs would focus on stuff like getting jobs here instead of stupid stuff like "travel for the President", then maybe they would have a chance....but they don't and they won't....

then we should first get rid of obama and his buddies in the house and senate.

When the Republicans prove they are an actual party of secular values and small government (including in the bedroom), then I'll vote for them.

Try and think without the Conservative or Liberal blinders. Obama ain't great but he's a damned sight better than any other candidate I've seen.

Yeah Cooper. We should have a one party state. How dare anyone question your God...Obama.