Senator Mark Begich recently questioned the quality of Chinese-made Xtratuf boots in a letter asking Honeywell Safety Products to bring manufacture of its storied boot back to the U.S.
“People replacing boots that used to last for years found the new pairs leaked and the soles separated from the uppers after just a few weeks’ wear. These were not the durable boots Alaskans were used to, earning the new name: ‘SORT-OF-TUFs,’” Begich said in his letter to Honeywell.
At least of third of Honeywell’s annual Xtratuf boot production ends up in Alaska.
Begich said poor manufacturing in China is to blame for the reduction in quality. Honeywell, a U.S. corporation, outsourced manufacture of the storied boots in late 2011. In his letter Begich asked Honeywell CEO David Cote to recommend adjustments to U.S. tax code that are needed to bring those jobs back to America. As of the writing of this story, Begich had not yet heard back from Cote.
Western Auto Marine General Manager John Weedman said his store had an uptick in Xtratuf returns for a time at the beginning of 2012. Though the boot material and design remained unchanged in China, the glue holding the boot together was poorly applied, he said. Boot linings began to sag and soles delaminated.
“We’ve seen a few people change brands,” Weedman said.
Honeywell has since identified and fixed the quality control problem, Weedman said. Since early May, Xtratufs sold out of Western Auto have been of good quality, he said.
“Anybody who sells Xtratuf went out of their way to get that defective product out of the supply chain,” Weedman said.
Weedman said that most of his Xtratuf customers have remained loyal to the brand.
He said customers still occasionally return defective Xtratufs.
“We’re happy to take care of them,” Weedman said. However there are limits to a warranty, he said.
“If they have hole in their boot where a halibut harpoon went through their foot” the return policy does not apply, Weedman said. “But they’ll get lots of sympathy from us.”
For more information visit www.xtratufboots.com.
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (29)
Add commentFighting fo Alaska
Doesn't this guy have something better to do!!
No reply?
"Begich had not yet heard back from Cote" Duh, this guy is just another pesky politician to him. After Xtratufs moved to China, did the price go down? No, it was all pure profit. I wonder if the new Chinese Xtratufs have lead in them?
viking boots
Viking boots are an alternative to xtra tuff. Cost less and is a quality boot.
Snagger, shouldn't he be
Snagger, shouldn't he be looking to Alaskans needs and concerns? Shouldn't he be looking for ways to bring an industry back to the US soil? This did both. Good on ya, Senator!
Xtratuf made in China? I honestly did not know this.
What's next, Harley-Davidson?
I will not pay China for my Xtratuf. Some things are simply not done.
I'm going with Viking.
ken dunker
What's next, Harley-Davidson?
Yes Ken, Harley Davidson sold out to China, HD products have tags that say "made in china"
NO
I've known this for a while and will take care of my tuffies as best I can but will not buy the lower quality version. For a lot of people it might not make as big of a difference but in Juneau when you are trodding through 6 inches of slush they had better be water tight.
saw this coming
Proves, yet again, that Americans make better stuff. We saw this coming last year and bought several pairs back then. guess their value just went up! Offers anyone? Size 11.
Ebay, here I come!
Good Job Senator, Either a
Good Job Senator,
Either a carrot or stick is needed to get those jobs back to Alaska. Tax incentives may do it or maybe new US tariffs on foreign products.
Wow - one third?
That's a pretty big chunk of sales for one company - Senator Begich is right to work towards bringing jobs back to American and asking for quality merchandise!
I will take extra care of my Tuffs - I've had them since Jr. High and they are still good! (I'm in my late 40s)
Perhaps we should ALL write a quick letter to Honeywell!
Honeywell Safety Products
900 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, RI 02197
https://www.xtratufboots.com/about/contact/Pages/default.aspx
Been trying to reach HD. They cannot handle e-mail inquiries
at this time (unless I am seeking a credit card).
HD made a big deal out of being American made. In fact this really put them in a price range their product did not deserve. If indeed production has moved to China I fail to see why I would pay twice the price.
SG
late 40s? just got a visual...nothing weird. You were wearing Grundens.
I quit wearing Tuffs and went
I quit wearing Tuffs and went to Bogs a few years back. A lot more comfortable and they don't roll at the ankles when walking over rocks. I believe Begich is doing well on this one.
Love my Tuffs!
I found some US made Tuffs on EBay! I have a family of 5 and we have 7 pairs of Tuffs, and refuse to buy the Chinese made ones! Hopefully the ones we have will keep on keeping on! Thank you Begich, I think this is an important task, but don't forget even more important issues facing Alaska!
Xtratufs.
Yo Mark,
Why don't we just buy Xtratufs? Talking here about from Honeywell. There is the Permeant Fund. They could buy it and make arrangements to have it run here in the USA, or maybe even our part of the world.
Wouldn't it be easier, quicker and in the end more effective to stop whining and take action.
Bet ya that even if Honeywell brings them home there will still be quality issues.
I noticed my boots wearing
I noticed my boots wearing out sooner and the price tag going higher so I went with other brands.
China manipulates their
China manipulates their currency, that's why companies do business there. If they stop going to China they'll go to some other foreign country that's just as cheep. Let the free market do it's job and stop buying them cause they are junk. We don't need the government pressuring a company what to do.
From an online blog - "So,
From an online blog -
"So, does this mean XTRATUFs devotees should switch to the competition? Not quite yet, say Honeywell - XTRATUF’s manufacturers and representatives in the U.S. “We did not change any of the components, we build the boots in the same way,” ensures Steve Haynes, a sales representative at NorthStar Sales Group.
The problem seems to be coming from the poor training given to employees in the Chinese plant rather than the material or technique used. According to the company, both equipment and molds used in the U.S. were moved to China, as well as a management team from the Rock Island factory to oversee training.
“By moving to China we knew we would be under the microscope, and we goofed with the training of the people making the boots,” says Haynes.
Sean O’Brien, Director of footwear at Honeywell, backs up this argument also mentioning the ageing factory in Illinois that dated back to the 1920’s and which couldn’t “keep up with production demands.” And to address the worry of its angry fanbase, Honeywell aka XTRATUF ensures that it has been working to address the issue by conducting full quality inspections as well as establishing new protocols."
Maybe Begich could better spend his time looking at emissions and other regulations mandated by the EPA and other government bureaucrats that have forced so many manufacturers out of America. Could it possibly be that the factory built in 1920, used by Honeywell, wasn't able to expand because of top down government control? Since when is it our business to tell a corporation how to manage their balance sheet. If you don't like the product, don't buy it. They'll get the message real quick.
China manipulates their
China manipulates their currency? And when the Fed prints tens of billions of dollars a month to help the Obama administration that's not currency manipulation?
easy
fix don't buy them until the "made in America" emblem is returned to the boot & thanks senator for talking the time to address this.
NO
“By moving to China we knew we would be under the microscope, and we goofed with the training of the people making the boots,” says Haynes.
You goofed by moving to China, not by the training.If you don't move the production back to the US, you will loose a good portion of your sales...You have lost our family's business until you move production back to the US. How many US families have you affected by moving to China? How many people in the US lost their jobs?
Obviously it's about the almighty dollar! Not the US!
Made in the USA
A couple of sites that list boot companies in the US:
http://www.findusmade.com/Mall/Footwear.htm
http://www.hanksclothing.com/northerner_boots.html
http://www.americansworking.com/boots.html
As far as I can tell, neither Viking nor Bogs are made in the U.S.
Thank you Sen. Begich for being proactive about this in working with the company to see if there are legislative impediments that can be removed.
Bogs and Viking
X-tra tuffs were the best because you can hike 10 miles in them and not suffer. Vikings and Bogs are OK for standing or
sitting not for anything else.
XtraTufs = Alaska
I was born and raised in Alaska--and in my XtraTufs. I also am in my late 40s and still have my pair from when I was in Jr. High. A couple of years ago I also bought a pair of insulateds, and I will definitely take care of those.
We would not be having this thread of conversation if the topic wasn't highlighted by Senator Begich, so thank you, Mark. Thanks for standing up for what matters to the average Alaskan--quality foot ware that protects and allows us to enjoy our unique wild outdoors.
Chevron soles...
...provide better traction on slick surfaces than any rubber boot I have ever worn. And I've been wearing rubber boots for 36 years. Servus and Xtratuf are the only boots I have found that use them. Hate to see this product go bad. Pampering my old ones more than I ever have.
Honeywell
I've had to deal with Honeywell over more than one defective product. In my opinion they should send their customer service overseas, and bring their industries home.
Unfortunately, Jack, Kaufman
Unfortunately, Jack, Kaufman Canada was bought out and it doesn't look like they produce boots anymore. I'd pamper your set if I were you!
jobs back to America
I know, lets raise their tax rate.
The worst part isn't where the are made. To still charge the high price is the crime. Half price knock offs are the same quality. If I have to buy foreign made, walls over carhartt, etc...
Only a import tax will bring them back.