Hmmmmmm......
From here:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mag/mag102.html Additional equipment to meet demand for rare earth permanent magnets cut to close tolerances has been installed at Magnequench's new UK factory.
That was from approximately 1.5 years ago.
Also look here:
http://www.magnequench.com/tech_resources/index.htm "The Technology Center is a 30,000 sq. ft. laboratory, built in 1999 specifically to meet the needs of Magnequench's clients for neodymium-iron-boron powders, magnets, and added-value components. A client can present his requirement for an optimum magnetic device design, for a magnet assembly, or for a challenging new material specification, and expect a complete solution from within this self-contained facility. He can even stay here and work alongside the Technology Center staff as his problem is solved."
"Magnequench selected the Raleigh/Durham region of North Carolina for its proximity to major industrial centers worldwide, allowing easy access for clients. The Southern climate and its consequent lifestyle has also allowed the Technology Center to attract some of the world's best magnet scientists and engineers. Because this region is a national center of excellence for science and technology, the Technology Center is able to draw upon considerable local resources to augment its own capabilities."
"The Technology Center is a unique, world-class engineering resource for the design and development of neodymium-iron-boron alloys, powders, compounds, magnets, production processes, permanent magnet components and devices. Having attracted some of the world's best permanent magnet scientists and engineers, and provided them with the latest process equipment and analytical tools, the Technology Center has everything in-house needed to provide a client with the optimum powder, magnet or added-value component."
Also look here:
http://www.magnequench.com/mag_news/releases/letter%20to%20president0429.pdf The Anderson plant was permanently closed by April 29, 2002
The Magnequench Research Center in Raleigh appears to be a glorified applications phalanx to their sales department. They don't appear to be doing anything to production-research for the magnets or actual production itself. All 'sales' of solutions to customers will undoubtedly be serviced by production of the designs in China. The relocation to the triangle does not appear to be a cost-effective use of corporate assets. Unless the whole move was in fact intended to shed the company of engineers who knew the company history...and the lies that had been told at each step to grease the skids to relocation to China.
It was the DECISION to shut the plant down that happened in 2002, about a year after it was bought.