* U.S. mold builders stand behind their work -- if you have a problem with your mold, they will make it right!

* Typical lead time for the freight is 3 to 4 weeks for off-shore vs. 3 to 5 days in the U.S. Have you factored in the cost and lead time to ship a large mold from Asia to the U.S. ? The cost of ECOs or rework that a U.S. moldmaker will have to do? (You won’t be shipping a mold back and forth across the Pacific Ocean for rework and ECOs!) And the cost of the mold’s productivity and efficiency, and maintenance over the life of the program. 

* It’s been said by a U.S. mold buyer, “The price difference for equivalent tools is getting closer” between U.S. mold builders and overseas mold builders. U.S. mold builders have adopted lean practices and process optimization including high-speed machining technology and robotic work cells. Reducing time and labor has helped reduce costs. Today’s pricing of U.S. molds may be lower than you think!

* U.S. mold builders speak your language -- nothing gets lost in the translation. What is your time worth? Communication can be a challenge when you’re working with off-shore suppliers.

* U.S. mold builders are right in your backyard -- you can visit them quickly and less expensively than you can if you had to fly to Shanghai or Mumbai.

* U.S. mold builders use SPI mold standards to ensure high-quality molds.

* U.S. mold builders provide collaborative product development.

* U.S. mold builders building in the US means you have recourse if you have a problem. U.S. mold builders use quality mold steels and mold components to ensure long-lasting production. The local mold builder knows that the tools may be seen again later for maintenance or repairs so the local toolmaker’s approach is going to include the use of quality steels and components, and he’s going to make the tools easy to service and not take any short cuts that will lead to dreaded ‘no charge fixes’.

* U.S. mold builders support their customers in long-term relationships -- you have a friend in the American Mold Builders Association!

* Buying products made in American factories by American workers keeps jobs in the US .

* Over the life of the mold, the value of that tooling investment is enhanced through a relationship with the U.S. mold builder. Good communication during the program launch, part revs to be in sync with the mold design through collaborative engineering, a familiarity with the mold buyer’s past preferences, assistance during startup and service after startup: all reasons to dismiss the lure of seemingly cheap overseas tooling.