2. analog
  3. 164840-158191

Technics moving all turntable production to Malaysia

I haven’t seen this reported anywhere. Heard it first from a dealer and now have confirmed it with Technics directly:

All turntables, even the SL-1000R, are leaving Japan and moving to a new facility in Malaysia. Everything’s going under one roof. Technics is halted now and they’ll start up the new production line in Malaysia on April 1. 

If the product is the same then that’s what matters most, but this definitely marks the end of an era and I’m sure the reaction will be mixed.
notman
inna
7,132 posts
 
What's next ? Kondo made in Vietnam, Wavac made in Cambodia ?
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
I hate to hear this. It seems the next generation 4runner from Toyota (currently made in Japan) will either be made in The US or Mexico. If it's Mexico I am out. I use to travel back and forth to Juarez and Saltillo to visit manufacturing plants for automotive. High absenteeism and terrible quality control. Now, Toyota, I'm sure, will have a tighter grip than many others...but still companies put up with a lot just to save on wages. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Buy vintage "made in Japan" gear, service at JP Jones lab if needed. 
bukanona
174 posts
 
I like Japanese culture and artisan attitude. I can't imagine myself buying  SL-1000R made in Malaysia.
It's corporate move and in short term it will be profitable.
But it's not about business it's about the soul. 

lewm
12,497 posts
 
I am surprised no one else has remarked about it, but there was a time when "Made in Japan" was a common joke and a slur on the product, here in the US, probably for about 10-15 years following the end of WW2, when Japan was trying to get back on its economic feet and also rebuild its shattered infrastructure.  Japanese imports to the US in those days were characterized by tiny cheap facsimiles of the statue of Liberty, made of pot metal.  So, one needs to keep an open mind about quality and where it can come from.
More to discover