Zatkoff News: Asian O-rings Are Cheap, But Do They Perform As Promised?

Asian O-rings Are Cheap, But Do They Perform As Promised?

Faced with increased pressure to cut costs, American corporations have looked offshore for parts, labor, intellectual capital and manufacturing capability. There is not a single industry untouched by this trend. Today, American suppliers must find ways to compete economically, or go out of business. That's the black and white of the story, but there is a grey area in there, too.

In the rush to decrease manufacturing costs by purchasing cheaper parts, do American manufacturers risk increased expenses down the road in terms of product failure, recalls, warranties, and dissatisfaction at the consumer level? Is the low cost solution always the most economical? There are no easy answers, and the response varies according to circumstance, but the premise is worth examining. One supplier of seals and gaskets, Zatkoff Seals & Packings, took the time, money, and personnel to evaluate Asian versus North American rubber sources of nitrile O-ring.

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