I keep reading conflicting info on this too, the factory in Steckborn is still up and running as far as I know. I know they work with partners in Asia and have done for years, but I don't know all the details. Either way, a Bernina turned out to catch my attention when test sewing between various models a few years a go, it was when the new 700 series was new. I liked it, but they just cost to much for my use. I still think they are better than most when it comes to quality, but don't get me wrong, I'm not disregarding any other brand becuse of it. There's always something; price, personal preferances, what we are used, features we look for... You have to test sew before you decide; we tend to live with these machines for years.