Where are Shimano TLD reels built?

[Lured Away]

The other thread got me thinking where are most of Shimanos reels made, curious in particular on the TLD 2 speeds.

[Deep C]

Not sure but I think perhaps California... I know that I have seen true Japaneese ones that are different than the ones we have over here. Perhaps that's just marketing differences but I can't be sure. I am reasonably sure that the gears and probably most compnents are made in Japan and then assembled in California.

I know that if I have had problems with any shimano reel that California has treated me very well. Penn was that way too when I dealt with them. I'd send them a problem reel and they'ld send me a new one for next to nothing...

[Capt_John]

I could be wrong, but I thought the TLD's were made in Indonesia.

[Deep C]

Possible... I do know that several of the Japaneese Shimanos are quite a bit different than the ones we get here in the states...
The TLD Star however is Japaneese product.

I do know that my 4500 and 3500 baitrunners came from California but my 6500 series ones actually come out of canada...

Cant be sure about the tlds as i don't have their boxes any more... I'll try looking on the reels.

[Ultralite]

Shimano does ZERO manufacturing in the States, let alone California. The TLDs are manufactured in Malaysia. Shimano typically has domestic only tackle and export tackle, though some will share designs and components. Have plenty of friends who buy the domestic reels, but Shimano will not support them here.

[Deep C]

Again...The 3500s and 4500's are or at least were made or at least assembled right in Irvine California as were the old tss4 spin reels. The 6500s were done in Peterborough, Ontario...
My TX and AX series ones are marked Malaysia.
The TLD star 20/40 series that I own are all product of Japan as are the 130 Tiagras. All myt tlds single and dual speed are on the boat so I'll check them tomorrow.

[Capt_John]

Shimano does ZERO manufacturing in the States, let alone California. The TLDs are manufactured in Malaysia. Shimano typically has domestic only tackle and export tackle, though some will share designs and components. Have plenty of friends who buy the domestic reels, but Shimano will not support them here.

Malaysia...that's it. I knew it was either there or Indonesia.

[Captain Fred Archer]

Ultralite is UltraRight on this one. Remember, I ran that outfit for a lot of years, I had a great deal to do with the design and everything else to do with the reels, even named virtually all of them and so I know. No reels of any kind were ever made here in the States or Canada. Somebody up north might have played the "packaged in Canada" game - I didn't have control of that division - but I doubt it.

I don't use their reels anymore, but that is because they are an offshore brand and although I didn't participate in the other thread, I made a decision long ago to refrain from supporting offshore makers when there were viable alternatives (and better ones, like Accurate) made here. Little stuff where there aren't such alternatives are one thing, but in the case of big game reels, they are there and I for one support them completely and exclusively to the best of my ability.

An example of how our own government has driven businesses from our shores was the EPA shutting down Sevenstrand as far as making skirts and hollow squids was concerned due to some relatively minor toxicity concerns and subsequent process and equipment change demands. At one time they were THE major skirt and hollow squid maker in this country and they made an excellent and reasonably inexpensive product. Roughly thirty people lost their jobs because of that.

One man's decision as far as reel choice is concerned. Everybody is entitled to their own.

[Deep C]

Fred
I too was shut down by EPA on the vinyl. Our own government makes it tough (too tough) to manufacture here in the states any more... It sucks...
That being said I do have a set of Avet but truth be known the shimanos are smoother and more reliable.

I checked on the single speed TLDS I have and they are marked Product of Japan along with the star series...

[joeksr]

I have a couple of older tld 2 speed 30's
the box says made in Japan.