do these look the same to you?
 

Only difference I can see is the price...and I've looked as hard as low-res image will allow me:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62542-REG/Westcott_1103_Background_Stand_for_Illuminator.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/215172-REG/Lastolite_3355_Bracketed_Stand_for_Collapsible.html

Re: do these look the same to you?
 

one is post paid, one isn't - which levels the price even more?

Re: do these look the same to you?
 

Lastolite is owned by the Vitec group along with Manfrotto and others. It says it has a 60,000sq ft facility but doesn't say where.
Manfrotto Lighting Ltd

Westcott is made by the FJ Westcott company in Toledo Ohio. It's family owned dating back to 1989 by the current president's grandfather. They just announced that they moved to a new facility that adds a distribution center.
http://fjwestcott.com/press-releases...ears-of-growth

You don't always have the option to support local or USA businesses in today's global economy but in this case, you do have a choice. If that matters to you.

I have several Westcott backgrounds and am very happy with them. I don't have any stands but if they are made by Westcott themselves, I'd expect them to be decent quality.

Re: do these look the same to you?
 

My hunch is that it's one OEM product from Manfrotto, with MF not selling it under their own name (at least, couldn't find it on their website or B&H).