Makerbot Studio is in Industry City, where rent isn't exactly "expensive".[0]

Rent (for employees) is also very accessible in the nearby area, nothing close to Manhattan or some swanky neighborhood in BK. (I live nearby)

In my opinion, especially in technology, its just hard to operate at scale and not produce products in China. Not only is their labor force less expensive but the parts that you require are manufactured there as well.

[0] : https://commercialobserver.com/2015/09/brooklyns-sunset-park...