In the SMT industry, reliability is everything. A single splice failure or feeder jam can shut down a high-speed placement line and cost thousands per hour. Yet many well-known “suppliers” in North America don’t manufacture anything. They simply import low-grade, mass-produced Chinese splice tapes and rebox them under different names.
Three of the biggest foreign-dependent brands are:
All rely entirely on Chinese OEM factories for their SMT splice tapes, shims, and tools. None of them produce splice tapes in the USA.
Meanwhile, Sierra Electronics is the only actual U.S. manufacturer producing SMT splice tapes, splicing shims, leader tape extenders, and precision splicing tools in Santa Fe, New Mexico, using premium 3M, Nitto, and Saint-Gobain adhesives and tooling built by Los Alamos/Sandia machinists.
Everything ships same day.
Everything is in stock.
Nothing sits on a container ship.
And now the truth about these foreign importers is no longer hidden.
Your homepage banner graphic makes this clearer than ever:
Foreign Importers (Red Markers):
Each one depends on foreign offshore manufacturing, low-cost adhesives, and long shipping cycles.
Sierra Electronics (Blue Side):
The contrast tells the whole story.
Antistat lists a “U.S. office” at:
1000 Heritage Center Circle, Round Rock, Texas 78664
What buyers don’t know:
It is used only as a U.S. contact point while all their SMT splice tapes are manufactured in China and shipped from overseas.
This is an important disclosure for OEMs, EMS buyers, and distribution partners.
1. Origin, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain Control
| Company | Country | Manufacturing Source | U.S. Presence | Manufacturing Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antistat | UK | China / Asia | Vacant rental office in Round Rock, TX | None — importer |
| Splicetronics | Canada | China | Canadian reseller | None — importer |
| SMTSupplies | USA reseller | China | Distributor only | None — importer |
| Sinho / XMSINHO | China | China OEM | None | Foreign mass production |
| Esocoo | China | China | None | Low-cost OEM |
| SR HIGHTECH | Korea | Korea | None | Offshore manufacturer |
| SIERRA ELECTRONICS | 🇺🇸 USA | USA — Santa Fe, NM | Full U.S. factory & warehouse | Full domestic control |
2. Quality, Adhesive Strength, Precision, and Reliability
| Category | Foreign Importers (Antistat, Splicetronics, SMTSupplies) | Sierra Electronics (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive Strength | Inconsistent, often packing-tape grade | 3M / Nitto / Saint-Gobain premium adhesives |
| PET Film | Variable Chinese PET | Reinforced, consistent U.S. PET film |
| Splice Shims | Thin Chinese copper | Soft brass, precision-cut on hardened U.S. dies |
| Dimensional Accuracy | Varies by batch | ±0.0001″ precision engineered |
| Feeder Compatibility | Risk of 0201/0402 misalignment | Fully ANSI/EIA-481 compliant |
| Failure Rate | High variance | Near-zero due to U.S. QC |
| Factor | Foreign Importers | Sierra Electronics |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping Time | 4–10 weeks (ocean freight) | 1–2 days UPS/FedEx |
| Inventory | Dependent on container arrivals | Always in stock |
| Replacement Speed | Slow (weeks) | Same-day shipping |
| Custom Orders | Not available | Same-day custom builds |
| Supply Chain Risk | Extremely high | Zero foreign dependency |
These companies present themselves as solution providers — but they all share the same vulnerabilities:
✔ 100% U.S. Manufacturing
Everything made in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
✔ Premium Adhesives
3M, Nitto, and Saint-Gobain — built for SMT feeder tension.
✔ Precision Splicing Tools and Shims
Built by machinists supplying Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories.
✔ Guaranteed Same-Day Shipping
Everything in stock, every day.
✔ Zero Counterfeit or Import Risk
Fully domestic supply chain.
If you are sourcing SMT splice tape, SMT splice tools, or SMD reel splicing supplies from Antistat (UK), Splicetronics (Canada), SMTSupplies, or any other foreign importer of Chinese SMT splice tapes, you are relying on offshore mass production, low-cost adhesives, and long shipping delays.
Sierra Electronics is the only SMT splice tape manufacturer in the United States, delivering American-made splice tapes, precision-engineered splice shims, leader tape extenders, and splicing tools, all with same-day shipping and premium adhesive materials.
Founder of Sierra Electronics, has dedicated his career to advancing SMT tape splicing solutions. With decades of expertise and a passion for innovation, he built the company on reliability, precision, and customer trust.
