I'm not saying you are wrong, but looking at the GT webpage they really don't tell you what the bike is made from or what it weighs. I prefer a curved steel fork for comfort and since there is no disc brake on that bike I don't see the point. In terms of build quality Surly's are pretty good. You don't see them falling apart and if there is a small issue with your bike they simply give you a new frame.

Your last point is the most important if you need something semi-custom to make it work for you.

I've had two Waterford bikes and they were both lovely. My latest one has paint issues - stunning custom colour, but chips off if you look at it funny. I also own 4 Surly bikes and they are some of my favourites.

The reason I would go back to Waterford vs. buying another Surly would be to get a low trail front end geometry and to get light tubing for better frame flex. Surly uses fairly stiff tubing and high trail geometry on bikes like the LHT. OTOH if the bike in question has a stiff frame [which looks likely by the PR spew] and has a standard high trail front end than I'd spend my $$ on a LHT and get a custom paint job if I wanted something unique.

BTW - I've owned several touring bikes that most would agree were "better" than the LHT. After riding them for a year or so I sold them and I still own my LHT.