Post by lugnut on Jan 27, 2012 18:54:50 GMT -5
Kinda neat, if they can keep the prices and quality competitive.
Element Electronics brings back TV manufacturing to the United States with the opening of their factory in Detroit, Michigan.
DETROIT, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Element Electronics proudly announces the grand opening and initial production of its new flat screen TV factory in Detroit, Michigan. With production scheduled to begin in March 2012, Element Electronics will be the only TV company assembling TV's in the United States.
Element Electronics made the decision to manufacture products in America to shorten its supply chain and related lead times and to be more responsive to consumers. Utilizing an American factory will allow Element to get the right products, at the right price, to the right place at the right time - as well as reduce waste and increase the quality of the consumer's out-of-box experience.
"This was also an emotional decision for the company, maybe even a patriotic choice. Element Electronics is an American company. Personally, I grew up in a small, blue-collar Ohio town. Our business is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are rooted in the Midwest. We have watched for years as jobs have left America for other countries. We have wanted to and planned for producing TV's here, at home. Element Electronics wants to pioneer a resurgence of creating quality manufacturing jobs in the USA" explains Mike O'Shaughnessy, President of Element Electronics.
Element Electronics believes global economic trends will make American production more economically viable over time and the company is scheduled to continue increasing production over the next few years. This will lead to increased job creation within Element Electronic factories and their suppliers.
Mike O'Shaughnessy goes on to explain, "When we started the project we knew that we wanted to produce in the Midwest. Practically speaking, the Midwest held advantages in terms of a qualified labor pool and distribution efficiencies based on population across the US. We settled on Michigan as a result of the partnerships established in Michigan. With the help of partners Tongfang Global and Lotus, we were able to make our American dream come true." In the short term, the plant will provide jobs for about 100 people, and the plan is to substantially grow job opportunities in their Michigan factory in the future.
Element Electronics is able to produce its larger screen size LCD and LED television in the United States for the essentially the same prices as units made in China (when comparing same sizes and features). The consumer will get a great quality, exceptionally featured television at an exceptional value, and it will come from a factory just outside Detroit, Michigan.
Also timed with the opening of the Michigan factory, Element Electronics has teamed up with "JBL" by Harman to launch a premium sounding flat screen TVs. The unique Element/JBL branded flat screen TV's boast home theater quality sound by combining advanced proprietary technologies, cutting-edge components, and years of industry expertise. These units offer the ultimate consumer listening experience. The JBL drivers used in the Element Electronics displays incorporate patented designs that reduce the size of the speaker while maintaining premium audio quality providing the viewer a sleek display with big, bold sound.