I had the chance to visit the Northern Tool factory, here in Minnesota a few months ago, where they make their red North Star log splitters, generators, and air compressors. According to their engineer, NT also owns a factory in China, where they build their blue Power Horse products, which gives them more control over having stuff built for them. They do own a few other brand names, and sell some things through different markets.
He said that they designed their 2-way splitter, and that most of the similar looking ones are 'look-alike' models. Ironic, as NT is frequently criticized for copying the designs of other products (e.g. chain grinders).
Anyway, I was impressed with their quality control on the Minnesota made products and would not hesitate to buy one. Their 2-way splitter is also sold under the GNE name with a Honda engine. I am pretty sure that the HF unit is not the same.
Philbert