Yes,the metal Royal uprights that are built in China are indeed high quality-have several of them.Figure TTI is making sure the machines are built to high standards unlike most other Chinese built vacuums and other products.Sad to say---"built in China-Buried in the USA"-got that from the Classic Refuse Truck site.But the metal Royals will have a long life before they meet the curb fate.At least the metal can be easily recycled.