Atlas posted a reply to this thread on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DSHBhjTzf/
(Exploring the comments on this post is interesting). Some direct questions being asked by the community.
There’s been a lot of talk about Micro-Trains tooling being ‘shipped off to China,’ so let’s clear that up right away. While Micro-Trains has had some limited production in China in recent years — at some of the same factories Atlas uses — none of the U.S.–based tooling is being moved to China. That assumption just isn’t accurate.
Atlas has been around for over 100 years. The company was started by an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, and over the decades manufactured products in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Austria, Germany, England, Italy, Yugoslavia, Brazil, and yes, China. The point is: Atlas has always used a global production mix, choosing partners who can meet the quality, tooling and cost requirements for each specific product — not relying on any one country.
Something that often gets overlooked is that Atlas has always been headquartered in New Jersey. That’s where administration, R&D, marketing, advertising, parts and repairs, customer service, and distribution all take place. Those are American jobs that stay right here. On top of that, Atlas regularly works with engineers, designers, and consultants from across the United States on product development, tooling, electronics, and problem-solving. A lot of U.S.-based expertise goes into every product line, including we hope, some MTL employees who are offered Atlas jobs, and decide to stay.
To be clear, no Micro-Trains molds or tooling are being sent to China. The core operations will remain firmly in the United States, and Atlas is actively looking to employ former Micro-Trains team members. Our goal is simple: preserve the Micro-Trains product line, support its skilled workforce, ensure product availability, and maintain the same high level of quality and fidelity that customers expect from Micro-Trains and Atlas