I just took delivery of a new Magura fork. It looks great and has had amazing reviews. Despite the saga of cracking Thor lower I really like Magura products.
But... my heart sank when I saw the 'Made in Taiwan' sticker on the end of the box. I know Taiwanese facilities have relatively high environmental and decentish labour standards and yet I am really disappointed to see the sticker. I make (sometimes stupidly) strenuous efforts to buy local, European or North American or from suppliers who have a verifiable environmental and social record - and Magura have always made such a thing about being German made. One thing I will say in thier favour is that the retail price of Magura has come down - so if I am getting the same quality then at least Magura is not doing what a lot of companies do, which is to pay sweatshop wages and charge premium prices at the consumer end. That still doesn't get over the whole globalisation/off shoring thing but it demonstrates a moderately less rapacious tendency.
Is there a fork company now which does not manufacture in Taiwan or China? I think Fox, DT Swiss and Marzocchi manufacture in Taiwan too. White Bros??
This morning I also received a beautiful set of Hope Race X2 brakes. If they had had a Taiwan sticker on I would be crying by now. Time to email Hope and try to get them making suspension...
End of rant (for now).
But... my heart sank when I saw the 'Made in Taiwan' sticker on the end of the box. I know Taiwanese facilities have relatively high environmental and decentish labour standards and yet I am really disappointed to see the sticker. I make (sometimes stupidly) strenuous efforts to buy local, European or North American or from suppliers who have a verifiable environmental and social record - and Magura have always made such a thing about being German made. One thing I will say in thier favour is that the retail price of Magura has come down - so if I am getting the same quality then at least Magura is not doing what a lot of companies do, which is to pay sweatshop wages and charge premium prices at the consumer end. That still doesn't get over the whole globalisation/off shoring thing but it demonstrates a moderately less rapacious tendency.
Is there a fork company now which does not manufacture in Taiwan or China? I think Fox, DT Swiss and Marzocchi manufacture in Taiwan too. White Bros??
This morning I also received a beautiful set of Hope Race X2 brakes. If they had had a Taiwan sticker on I would be crying by now. Time to email Hope and try to get them making suspension...
End of rant (for now).