When Raleigh switched to using Japanese parts they had Suntour make parts that were Raleigh branded as they did not think their customers would accept an English bike with Japanese parts... this did not last long as buyers appreciated the superior components that their bikes were coming with and this became a selling point.

Schwinn and Raleigh were powerhouses and could ask their suppliers to make pretty much anything with their name on it and to their own particular specs... this is what many "Schwinn Approved" parts are... outsourced manufacture.