In today’s competitive market, many companies proudly promote their products as “Made in USA,” enticing potential buyers with promises of superior quality and American craftsmanship. But what does this label really mean? Are these claims genuine, or could they be misleading consumers?
At 2M Technology, we believe in being transparent about where our products come from. While all our products are made in China or Taiwan, this choice allows us to offer security equipment that meets the highest international standards for quality, safety, and innovation—all at competitive prices. Let’s break down why sourcing products from China or Taiwan doesn’t mean compromising on quality, and why you should take a closer look at companies claiming to be “Made in USA.”
Sneaky Semantics: “Assembled” vs. “Made”
Some of our competitors market their products, particularly industrial and commercial x-ray scanners, as “Made in USA,” but they are typically only assembled domestically using components manufactured overseas—often in the very same facilities in China or Taiwan where we produce our products. They exploit this ambiguous wording because the FTC stipulates that products claiming to be “Made in USA” must, at a minimum, have their final assembly or processing completed in the U.S. However, there’s a significant distinction between “Assembled in USA” and “Made in USA.”
The “Made in USA” label implies that the entire production process, from design to final assembly, takes place within the United States. In reality, many products with this label are simply put together in the U.S. with parts sourced from abroad. For example, critical components for non-medical x-ray machines, like circuit boards and generators, may be manufactured overseas and then shipped to the U.S. for assembly. Understanding this difference is important to avoid paying a premium for an “American-made” product that is essentially the same as a cheaper option without the label.
Why We Manufacture Overseas—And Why That’s a Good Thing
China and Taiwan have long been recognized as global leaders in manufacturing, thanks to their state-of-the-art production facilities and highly skilled workforce. The quality and efficiency of production in these two countries often rival, if not surpass, many other developed nations, allowing us to create complex, innovative products at scale.
Cost Efficiency Without Sacrificing Quality
One of the primary reasons we manufacture in China and Taiwan is to keep our prices competitive while maintaining the superior quality of our products. By leveraging their manufacturing efficiency and resources, we optimize our production processes and reduce costs, which allows us to offer affordable pricing to our customers.
Even though costs are lower, this does not equate to quality being lower. Our manufacturing process involves rigorous quality control at every stage. Additionally, we only work with trusted partners who adhere to the same high standards we expect anywhere else in the world. From sourcing premium materials to conducting thorough testing, we ensure every product meets or exceeds industry benchmarks for performance and safety.
Faster Delivery Times
A major benefit of sourcing our products from China and Taiwan is our ability to deliver them to our customers in a fraction of the time. While some companies offering locally-sourced products may have lead times of up to 40 weeks, we can get our products to you in just 6-8 weeks. Our products match the features and quality of “American-made” alternatives, but with faster turnaround and lower costs, helping you keep projects on schedule and within budget.
Prioritizing Security and Ethical Partnerships
Security is our top priority—not just in the products we provide, but also in how we source them. We carefully vet each business and only work with trusted, privately-owned companies in China and Taiwan that operate independently of government control or surveillance. By taking these precautions, we are able to ensure the integrity of our supply chain and protect the privacy and trust of our customers.
Embracing Innovation
Innovation is another factor we considered in our choice to source products from China and Taiwan. Both countries have made impressive advancements in technology, especially in electronics. Manufacturers there have access to cutting-edge technology that allows them to produce high-quality, innovative products on a large scale. In turn, this helps us incorporate the latest trends into our security solutions and bring them to market faster than if we produced them elsewhere.
Our Commitment to Quality and Value
Our decision to produce items abroad is driven by our dedication to delivering high-quality products at competitive prices. By sourcing from China or Taiwan, we’re able to give our customers access to groundbreaking, reliable equipment without the inflated costs often associated with other brands. Each product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets international quality standards, demonstrating that cost efficiency and quality are not mutually exclusive.
Final Thoughts On Product Sourcing Transparency
The notion that products made in China or Taiwan are automatically of lower quality is outdated and overlooks developments in global trade. Quality depends not on geographic location but on the expertise, care, and dedication of the people involved in production. Many companies, including our competitors that sell x-ray scanners for commercial and industrial use, look to these nations to produce their equipment while upholding the same standards we have in the U.S. for performance and durability.
At 2M Technology, we are committed to being upfront about where and how our products are made. Consumers deserve this level of honesty, and we challenge competitors who claim their products are “made in USA” to be equally transparent. Many of these companies rely on foreign manufacturers for much of their supply chain, and it’s time they acknowledge this to their customers and give credit to the manufacturers who contribute to their success.