STERLING – U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling told a group of local workers Thursday morning that there’s a major difference between them and their Chinese counterparts.

“The one thing they can never have on us is the quality,” Schilling, R-Colona, said as he visited Frantz Manufacturing in Sterling. “That’s the difference between Chinese and American products.”

Schilling, a freshman congressman, visited the manufacturing company to talk about the problems American manufacturers are having competing with foreign producers.

He met with the Frantz executive team before touring the bearing factory. He spoke with employees in the factory’s assembly room, press room and screw machine department.

The 101-year-old company produces bearings and wheels used by other businesses and makes balls used in the engines of cars.

Schilling listened to the concerns of the executive team during his visit. The manufacturing company was financially hurt in 2000 when the price of American steel rose, Vice President of Manufacturing and Engineering Kyle Dir said. Chinese companies can buy cheaper raw materials, which gives them a competitive advantage, Dir said.

Schilling, who has 10 children, said his children purchase, against his advice, inexpensive products made overseas. Then they have to replace them frequently because they are of poor quality, he said.

“When this economy rolls back, we’ll come back as a stronger America than ever,” Schilling said.

Schilling told the executive team he appreciates that the company employs community members.

The company employs 72 people.

“This is America,” he said.

“This is what makes our country great, these folks buying houses and maybe pizzas,” said Schilling, who owns a Moline pizzeria.

Illinois would attract more companies and jobs if it were more business-friendly, Schilling said. Illinois companies pay 7 percent income tax and 2.5 percent replacement tax. High taxes prevent companies from hiring more employees, Schilling said.

The congressman originally was scheduled to tour Frantz Tuesday, but had to postpone to attend President Barack Obama’s visit to the Quad Cities.