Roger,

Thank you. This was an education.

As you have stated, it was likely that the operation would eventually move to the Far East. This seemed to be the way things were going at the beginning of the millenium. I think there is the remotest glimmer that this may change. I keep hearing reports in the press that manufacturers (at least in the US, and I suspect that the UK is not far behind) are discovering that there are now increases in other kinds of costs (and even labor) in China that are making production there more of a headache than it used to be. There is talk that manufacturers may bring some production back to the US. However, for China-owned firms, this may not be forthcoming. Maybe we will see companies begin to change hands again.

Hope springs eternal. It's pretty hard for people to buy cars, houses and appliances if they don't have a job.

John 

thanks for sharing. I wonder what the new cleaner was that the 2 factories were competing for?