Technics moving all turntable production to Malaysia

Just because the labor is cheaper does not mean that it is less competent.  

No argument from me there. The move is notable to me because Technics has been so synonymous with Japan specifically. I don’t think people expected them to relaunch like they did a few years back, and definitely not to relaunch then abandon Japan altogether even for the highest end stuff.

This means that it will no longer be fully Japanese. I would probably still buy it if I had to but with less enthusiasm even if the quality remained the same. Bad move.

With Inna on this one.  I own both the new 1200GR (made in Japan) and the 1500C (made in Malaysia).  They are both well made.  Admittedly, it was the 'made in Japan' badge that made me psyched about buying the 1200, among other things.  I like the look of DJ style turntables and new production 1200 TTs meant not having to deal with all the Super OEM knock-offs (Hanpin) that are offered by a dozen or so companies.

Hopefully it all works out.  I remember from 5 or so years ago, Panasonic did a similar move to a new off-shore billion dollar facility with its LCD production and then has been closing down most of its production ever since.

Rich    

Plants in Malaysia have better QC compared to other parts of Asia, except Japan, but still the made in tag cannot be ignored. Cost cutting but product will be the same and biz will continue. Different from making LCD panels, where now you buy from the cheapest vendor.

G

If older 30-40 y.o. (Made in Japan) reference Technics turntable still available used or even NOS then new (Made in Japan) models like SP-10R and SL1200 series will be available for a long time too. They made so many.

Some people are always too late when it come to a good stuff, who cares?

Technics returned even after they stopped turntable manufacturing completely. 

Some of their cheaper new models like 1500 already made in Malaysia

I wonder how this new policy will play out in Japan itself, where there are more audio files per capita than maybe anywhere in the world that I have ever been. They still have stores that are reminiscent of New York City in the 1970s.You can buy an SP10R over the counter in some of their very large Department stores.

Maybe it’s fake news?

Audio files = audiophiles, of course.
I hate autocorrect.

@chakster as said, first heard it from a major Technics dealer two weeks ago, and then emailed with Technics directly this week and they happily confirmed. No sense of secrecy from anyone. 

I would assume that Technics new manufacturing facility would be more advanced than their older Japanese factory. Where something is made, shouldn't be an issue unless there are other factors colouring your opinions.

I have a SL1500C that was made in Malaysia and it's an excellent, obviously well built TT. I don't see a problem. A lot of well known electronic equipment has been built for quite a few years in that country.

"Made In Malaysia" has a nice ring to it.

I wonder if "Made In U.S.A." has the same reaction elsewhere....
...either a 'ring'....or a 'clunk'. ;)

What's next ? Kondo made in Vietnam, Wavac made in Cambodia ?

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. 

Buy vintage "made in Japan" gear, service at JP Jones lab if needed. 

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. 

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.

@lewm 

I was born in '51. The "made in Japan" joke stayed around to the early 70's when Toyota & Honda started being imported, IME. Then too, much of Europe  was destroyed and of course 2, big cities in Japan also. Plus their economies were ruined.  They often didn't have the right tools or materials for quality IMO. But craftsmen are in every society. The difference usually comes down to the item they produce and how similar the product you ask them to produce is in their "wheelhouse". There is usually a learning curve.

Doesn’t the manufacture dictate the QC, not the country of manufacture?  

bad move

Of course with lower manufacturing cost, they will lower the cost?

Japanese might be losing their way and become like anybody else. Now that's bad, if I am right, regardless of whether or not you like who they are, as you perceive it. 
I wouldn't want made in the US Rolex either. 

I wonder if "Made In U.S.A." has the same reaction elsewhere....
...either a ’ring’....or a ’clunk’. ;)

Although not exactly hi-fi Apple with iPods were not produced in the US but in China already in the early 2000s and yet they have sold millions of them.

Mark Levinson before he came out with the Red Rose scandal who produced his electronics? Yet many have bought those products.
We must resign ourselves to globalization, several audio electronics companies have their minds in the States or in Europe and produce in Asian countries; do we want to make a list?

I'm happy Technics didn't move to China.  I avoid Chinese product whenever possible and that's hard to do.  My choice is not based on quality of product but on their business practices and the Taiwan issue.

We must not "resign ourselves to globalization", especially when it takes unhealthy forms. This is not realism but defeatist position.
It's impossible to avoid made in China products completely unless you buy nothing or only vintage stuff.

Artemis, Japanese motorcycles (Honda and Kawasaki) made a mark for high quality and speed in the US by the early to mid 60s, which predated the influx of Datsuns and Toyotas that came in the late 60s/early 70s. By then”made in japan “ was no longer such a joke. Every guy wanted a 240Z. Basically, we are in agreement, give or take a few years. 

The made in Japan tag is not only a printing tag, it shares the pride of the manufacturer. Something is fading out without it. Still smaller scale sales products will continue to carry that tag but become even more expensive. In the case of Technics they made their come back swirl and now they want to cash out.

G

Technics Mistake!
https://www.usatubeaudio.com/technics-goes-malaysia/

I'm just happy I snatched a GAE before this happened

Its too bad. Very rarely, IME is quality ever the same when production is offshored.  There are instances when it is as good so we will have to see what happens.

The  only place we've read about this is from a new poster who hasn't been back and who's posted the same claim on two forums.  As to the tubestore with its diatribe, the owner is off the rails and what's printed there is not actually anything but a claim.
If this were true, why do all search results for the query as to Technics' plans lead to this topic and a similar one on audiokarma. 

Why do people believe this is true based on an anonymous poster's claim???

That’s an entirely fair question. It’s very true I’m a nobody here. All I can say is I honestly just thought it was a piece of news about a storied brand that would be of interest and conversation so I shared it a couple places. It’s not true to say I haven’t been back. As you can tell from my follow-up, I’m not some troll trying to stir up peoples’ emotions. I don’t deeply care about the move myself, hence I’m not replying constantly to gin people up.
Also, you’re not alone, by now I too figured someone would have corroborated this from a conversation with a dealer. I repeat: what happened is I was told this by two separate senior sales staff from a Technics dealer in the US, then I contacted Technics (not the US office, they’re useless) directly via email and they confirmed. Anyone can check my work by talking to a dealer or Technics. If you do, please report back. It’s only fair if I’m going to be called out with suspicion. 

So why not show everyone the communications you got from Technics confirming this?  Otherwise it's a newbies telling unsubstantiated stories.  Back up your claims.  Identify who you are that "senior sales staff" told you this.

I’m not sharing screenshots because I would rather you be skeptical or even call me a liar than create any risk of getting people in trouble at their jobs. “Identify who you are that ‘senior sales staff’ told you this.” Again, I’m nobody. Not an industry guy. Just someone who was navigating purchasing a 1200GR exactly when this news arrived to the dealer. They were forthright and relayed that information to me. I was surprised and asked follow up questions to them and to a Technics country office and the information I received was crystal clear. I don’t reward that by naming the dealer or staff or providing screenshots. It’s just not worth it to me to put them in that position. I’m confident in my sources and believe if you speak to a knowledgeable dealer or Technics you will find out I’m not just making this up. For lord’s sake, why would I?

csgreene,
- do you have any evidence that Technics won't move production?
- why you are so aware about that?

There is this announcement, which looks rather legitimate.

It does? 

@csgreene Hi, old chap. By now you’ve seen posters on the Hoffman forums corraborating my information from multiple dealers over the course of April and May.

I’ll take an apology any time. You can do it now, or you can wait, but it’s the only classy thing to do once you admit to yourself I’m not some clueless idiot and that you’re in fact the one who jumped to conclusions.

Every forum has trolls. Just don’t engage. It’s verified that the tables are no longer in Japan.  Thanks for the info. I was thinking about upgrading my GR to a G. However, as a former manufacturing manager, I’ll wait a while so the new facility can work out out all the kinks. 

@inna    

 Never own a Rolex again!
 Omega is the king of wrist watches!

    Always has been!

 Along with some Belair, and Pulsar (not cheap, well made )!!

All mine were made in Japan! 
 

I wonder if the Luxmans are still made in Japan?

Hi,I’m french (sorry for my english) and new in your forum.I bought a SL1200 MK2 in 1989 and 32 years later for my 50th anniversary, i wanted to buy the new SL 1200 G-EGS.I waited 7 month and received it yesterday.What a suprise when i connect it and saw "made in Malaysia" behind it.https://zupimages.net/up/21/25/cazy.jpg
I don’t care the quality control and the quality is not here (i can show it).I’m so disappointed that I’m going to ask the seller for a trade-in (reprise) whatever it cost to me.My dream goes out !Do you want a Tag HEUER made in other country than Switzerland for example ?

I don't know why they did that.  

Go vintage, buy a better Technics, look for SP-10 mk III (made in Japan) and EPA-100 mkII Boron-Titanium tonearm. 

The dealer have just refunded me at the same price i bought.
End of Malaysia SL1200G EGS's story for me.

Can you give us anything specific on the quality VS the made in Japan units? A pic of the mfg sticker is not cutting it.

I remember shamefully being relieved my Boxster was built in Germany (by real Germans!) instead of Finland. Super nuts, but oh well.