Years ago I worked as a profuct designer in a major company. Across town a machine shop made an industrial strength door handles - about 150/day. There were many machine steps, bending, welding of three parts to make an assembly. Price was $7.50 ea.
We received raw part and tumble cleaned them, cadmium plated, primed and painted them.
Chinese got with purchasing and bid making the handle. They forged the basic part thus eliminated several machine and bending. The forging included the feature that were previously separate parts. The part that was welded on was welded by resistance welding that produced a neat appearance and prevented corrosion from forming under the part. They cleaned, plated, primed, and painted the part. Delivered for 75 cents ea.
