In article , Keith G
writes

"JustMe" wrote in message
...
I believe the following speaker 'names' are now *owned* by the Chinese:

Wharfedale
Quad
Rogers
KEF
Celestion

Is this correct?

Also, I know they certainly manufacture various or all of the models in
the
various ranges, but does anybody know if they are actually designed in
China
now?

Also, does anyone know of any other 'names' (speakers or other equipment)
now in the hands of the Chinese? (Not just manufactured there - that's
almost everybody now, from what I can see....)

I believe that IAG (International Audio Group) own Wharfedale & Quad
together. They also now own Tag and all that comes with that. The owners
are
Chinese, the products are manufactured in China (excluding the Quads
Electrostatics which, I believe, are still built in the UK) but all the
design is carried out in the UK.

Kef and Celestion are under one roof (and have been for a few years) but I
don't know in whose hands they lie.

Don't know about Rogers.


Yes, Rogers are AFAIK....


Is this a crisis?


Not to me, I'm a big fan of Chinese audio gear - low on 'bull**** factor' if
nothing else.


Politically you may despair for the oppressed people of China and may
consider that they are being used as a cheap labour force by the West.


Absolutely not - I'm delighted for the Chinese.


You
may be concerned at a loss of jobs in the UK.


Nope.

Well Keith, perhaps you should be?. Are you retired?, and if you are and
you rely on a pension, or perhaps you made squillions and have salted
that away, your pension is going to be funded by the present British
workforce, so perhaps you should be a shade more concerned.

Or are you or would you be happy with the same standard of living as a
typical Chinese family?, and it isn't that good, according to a Chinese
person I know....

--
Tony Sayer