Made in xyz: Which countries in Europe are the best?

[PBachman]

Well, today I just realized I have a Zangen-Sieger can-opener that I have been using for almost 35 years with no problem. It is amazing how durable this can-opener is. It reads "Made in Germany" ("Ges. Geschutzt" with two dots on top of the u).

I am curious, from the European perspective, which European countries manufacture best products? Rank the top five in no particular order. I would participate but I don't know much as I am living in the United States and most products read "Made in China".

[rashka]

Nothing is made in Europe anymore. :)

[Nairi]

Nothing is made in Europe anymore. :)

"Made in China"

[Chronos]

I'll be more pragmatic:

Stereotypically speaking, you have the 'Made in Italy', and of course 'Made in Germany' that you can find in US stores at the international section.

It depends what you mean by 'best', and whether you want to know about things you can actually buy. In the international section of most big stores (Meijer, KMart, etc) you can find the big ones like Italy, Germany, Greece. If you can find one of those smaller stores run by Europeans (Serbian, Polish for example), you can get your hands on (imported) stuff from Eastern Europe and the Balkans; this includes wines, vodka/hard liquor , sweets, beers sometimes, traditional sweets made in the store, meat as prepared in the particular country (kabanos, etc), etc. Besides that, places like that tend to have cheap fresh fruits and vegetables.

[PBachman]

I'll be more pragmatic:

Stereotypically speaking, you have the 'Made in Italy', and of course 'Made in Germany' that you can find in US stores at the international section.

It depends what you mean by 'best', and whether you want to know about things you can actually buy. In the international section of most big stores (Meijer, KMart, etc) you can find the big ones like Italy, Germany, Greece. If you can find one of those smaller stores run by Europeans (Serbian, Polish for example), you can get your hands on (imported) stuff from Eastern Europe and the Balkans; this includes wines, vodka/hard liquor , sweets, beers sometimes, traditional sweets made in the store, meat as prepared in the particular country (kabanos, etc), etc. Besides that, places like that tend to have cheap fresh fruits and vegetables.

Yes, here in the states, where I live Armenians have opened up ethnic markets that bring a lot of products from Eastern Europe. Really, the quality of product from the newly established nations is pretty good. I like the juices in the cardboard boxes and the dark chocolate. Beer and Vodka (Beluga brand is good) is excellent as well. By the way, the can-opener I bought in Germany.

[Chronos]

Yes, here in the states, where I live Armenians have opened up ethnic markets that bring a lot of products from Eastern Europe. Really, the quality of product from the newly established nations is pretty good. I like the juices in the cardboard boxes and the dark chocolate. Beer and Vodka (Beluga brand is good) is excellent as well. By the way, the can-opener I bought in Germany.

Out of curiosity, in what state do you live? (i'm in Michigan)

My nail-clipper is from Germany too, and its amazing.

[safinator]

Made in Italy.

[Innar]

The Axis are the champions when it comes to manufacturing.


G20 Population 2008 GDP 2008 Manufacturing output Mfg/Population Mfg/GDP

Germany 82,140,000 3,649,468,713,255 767,173,986,290 9,340 21%
Japan 127,704,000 4,910,691,611,512 1,044,573,591,840 8,180 21%
Italy 59,855,000 2,303,058,798,157 381,043,924,161 6,366 17%
United States 304,060,000 14,096,716,929,022 1,830,682,964,800 6,021 13%
...
(http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2009104319/g20-manufacturing-output-capita)

[Beorn]

http://www.paska.com/knives2.jpg


My family still use these. I have one or two myself.

[Vasconcelos]

I consider Made in Germany roughly as "trustworthy and durable" which is what products should be.

With that said, I strive to buy Portuguese (or at the very least Spanish) items whenever I can, especially food, even if I refuse to let some "small luxuries" go.

[gold_fenix]

well depends in food could be Spain, Italy or France in technology Germany, you can buy a cheap electric device and it will be good, in clothes too is good Italy

[Incal]

Before, things were made to last. These days of crazy consumerism we live, manufactured products can't last more than a year.

[SwordoftheVistula]

Germany has a very good reputation here for manufactures (though not as much is imported from there anymore due to exchange rates), especially automobiles.

Italy has a reputation for high end clothing/fashion

Germany also has a reputation for having the best beer, though Dutch/Belgian beers are the ones I see most often. Some English, Irish, Polish, and Italian beers are also available.

Belgium also has a reputation for chocolate.

Switzerland has a reputation for chocolate and watches. High end watches are still imported from there in large scale, I think.