Where do our parts come from?

Cox International Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:02 pm

Due to recent "discussions" in regards to OEM Cox parts, current production items and manufacture origin, we decided to pull some stats today. We currently have listed for sale:

420 items on eBay
437 Items in our Cox International store (some items are not listed on eBay)

Over 80% of our items are still OEM Cox. Whether purchased from Estes/Cox directly, from former OEM Cox suppliers or from random sellers over time.

Currently, we have manufactured 87 different items, either wholly or by modifying an OEM Cox part. As we have in our possession over 4,000 OEM Cox drawings, quality and accuracy is ensured.

Of the 87 items we are currently getting manufactured, 14 are made in China by an established model engine company, the rest are being manufactured in the USA (anodizing and powder coating is done in Canada).

Were we to cease manufacturing then 87 currently available items would not be available to buy for those in need of those parts.

To sum up:

Over 80% of our items are original Cox
Of the items we manufacture, 83% are made in the USA (73 items)
Of the items we manufacture in China, the count is 17% (14 items)
The total ratio of items made in China vs. currently for sale is a whopping 3 %

Not that it really matters in the end as we strive for best value, whilst maintaining highest OEM quality. Some items, because of low production runs, cannot be manufactured cost-effectively on this continent. For instance, charging $20 for an aluminum fuel tank bowl does not serve the interests of our customers.

It is, and will remain, our mission to provide value and not take more money than necessary out of the pockets of our customers, whether they are Americans or from other countries.

microflitedude Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:08 pm

Thanks Bernie, good stuff to know.

**Admin** Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:12 pm

Yes, great information! Thanks!

**RknRusty** Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:35 pm

Admin wrote:Yes, great information!...

And yellow props too!
Thanks

Cox International Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:54 pm

I should probably add a qualifying statement here.

Although we currently only have 14 products manufactured in China, we have no way of knowing where some of our USA based suppliers are getting their wares from. Even Cox had some items manufactured in China, such as the radio sets, Warbird batteries, servos, etc.

For example our screws. We purchase them from a US screw wholesaler but doubt they are actually made there. An educated bet would be they themselves get them from Taiwan. Furthermore, I seriously doubt that any screws sold today in the USA have been manufactured in the USA; even Cox had their screws lastly made offshore (yes, the very ones a particular eBay seller is touting as "made in the USA").

The items we get made from scratch in the USA are actually made there but some items we buy ready-for-retail may not be. We get some supplies from Brodak, Sig, Sullivan, Merlin, etc and who knows where some or all of their components come from.

Again, it does not really matter as long as the quality is equal to or better that OEM.

PS: Don't look inside your computer... the very one you are using to read this post..... you might get a shock, literally and figuratively. Heck, the Dell server that powers our store has the "MIC" stickers plastered all over it Surprised

Cox International Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:58 pm

RknRusty wrote:
Admin wrote:Yes, great information!...
And yellow props too!
Thanks

And those were moulded in California, on the original Cox mould, by the original Cox supplier, by the same person who moulded them for Cox, whose dad used to run Cox at one point.

Where did the yellow material come from? DuPont. Where does DuPont get it made? Let's not go there Rolling Eyes

**Cribbs74** Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:09 pm

Thanks for summing that up Bernie, to be honest I never questioned your integrity or the quality of your items.

Keep on keepin' on Bernie!

From a fellow Canuck!

(who lives in Texas and is Active Duty USAF) lol!

John Goddard Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:32 am

I shouldn't give it another moments thought Bernie. I think quality and service is everything.

As Ron says above keep doing what you're doing and how you're doing it.
Best
A VERY HAPPY CUSTOMER

Ivanhoe Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:47 am

As you say Bernie, it's nigh on impossible to know where every single item is made these days, and does it matter? not as far as I'm concerned, as long as the quality is there, over here in the UK, the sight of a label bearing the words "Made in England" or "Made in the UK" is rarer than hen's teeth, and has been for years!

Keep up the good work, for all Cox modellers!

Wilf

mr_cox Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:15 am

Even if your items where forged in the mines of Mordor, I do not care.

I know that everything you sell is quality. I never had doubts about that.

Keep up the good work Bernie, you are one of the best Cox suppliers (and matt offcourse) and you do a lot for the community.

Hands in the air for Bernie!!! cheers

And a beer... Beer Cheers

Ivanhoe Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:30 am

mr_cox wrote:Even if your items where forged in the mines of Mordor, I do not care.

I know that everything you sell is quality. I never had doubts about that.

Keep up the good work Bernie, you are one of the best Cox suppliers (and matt offcourse) and you do a lot for the community.

Hands in the air for Bernie!!!

And a beer...

Hear! Hear! cheers

PV Pilot Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:36 am

Thanks for the stats Bernie,,and of course the service and money invested in the hobby.

You didn't have to disclose all of those percentages to us, but it is appreciated.

Cox International Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:52 am

Nothing to hide and we are big proponents of openness and full disclosure and I have absolutely no problem supplying a list of which parts are manufactured in China.

But then again, does it really matter?

SuperDave Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:01 pm

I found the manner in which engine049 blundered into this forum MOST offense. No introduction or business affliation were mentioned in the initial assault (note the negative ratings and his reputation) They are representative of how Tom was received by our membership.

Good business relationships are formed on the basis of positive experiences and building consumer confidence not boastful claims and "flag waving" and "buy from me because I am a vet" nor pounding on competitors.

E'nuf said.

mitchg95 Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:04 pm

thank you so much for all the info and the quality service that is so much demanded for in the rc world

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