I've checked on those as well but I guess my issue was this. Awesome Aluma reels on the right, Awesome Tidwell reels on the left. Right, made in Canada, left made in Pennsylvania USA, supporting a local guy. As much as I love Canada, my favorite hockey team for over 30 years has been the Montreal Canadiens. I thought I would support the Awesome made here guy. As I said, I've had them in weather that would have your bare hands in literal pain after being exposed for less than 5 minutes and had no issues with the reel. Freezing rain, sleet, snow. If the reel on the left was an Eco reel and the right was the Aluma reel, yeah, I'd buy a reel made in Canada. Actually looking at a cord reel for my Cable control but have already contacted Mr. Tidwell and when I get in the position where I can afford it I'll be going thru him again.
To each his own though. A friend of mine has the Aluma reels and they look pretty slick indeed. Oh well, have to shake the bushes to try and get some more work to fall out so I can start using the reel more!