North States
Baby gates, pet yards and bird feeders from an employee-owned company with Wisconsin plants
✓ American Manufacturing
Our assessment
Company details
Where North States products are made
“Our plastic injection molding plant is in Siren, WI and our wood production plant is in Shawano, WI.” The first Supergate, created in 1993, is “still being manufactured in Siren, WI today.”
Toddleroo Supergate Ergo, the MyPet Petyard 6-Panel and the Village Collection Red Barn Birdfeeder each read “Proudly made in the USA” on their product pages — three families, three for three.
North States puts a number on it — “over 70%” — rather than implying the whole catalogue. That figure is why this profile does not use an unqualified Made in USA label.
What this emblem covers. North States states that over 70% of its gates, yards and birdfeeders are made in the USA, at its plants in Siren and Shawano, Wisconsin, and marks US-made items on their product pages. The emblem covers those items. Products without a Made-in-USA statement on their own page are not covered.
The story
North States began in Minnesota in 1953 as North States Wood Products, making snow fences, dairy boxes, toy chests and doghouses. In 1965 it merged with Siren Corporation of Siren, Wisconsin, and in 1971, as plastics grew, it became North States Industries.
In 1993 the company became employee-owned and introduced the Supergate, the baby gate that is still made in Siren. The Superyard followed a year later.
In 2001 an F3 tornado levelled Siren. The company says its plant was shipping again within six weeks, rebuilt with robotics and a resin vacuum system. In 2023 it marked 70 years in business.
Why they matter
Baby gates and pet pens are dominated by imports. North States moulds its plastic gates in a small Wisconsin town and has done so for decades, including through a tornado that flattened the plant.
It is employee-owned, so the people running the presses in Siren and the wood line in Shawano own a share of the company they work for.
And it is precise about its own claim — a stated percentage and a product-level mark — which is how a mixed catalogue should be disclosed.
Shop North States products
North States baby gates, pet yards and bird feeders, in the Buy American Campaign store. Look for the Made-in-USA statement on individual items.
Shop all North States products →Visit North States website →
North States questions
Are North States gates made in the USA?
Most are. The company says over 70% of its gates, yards and birdfeeders are made and shipped from the United States, at its plants in Siren and Shawano, Wisconsin. US-made items say so on their product pages.
Where are North States products made?
Plastic injection molding in Siren, Wisconsin, and wood production in Shawano, Wisconsin. The headquarters is in Plymouth, Minnesota.
Who owns North States?
Its employees. The company became an ESOP in 1993 and remains one.
When was North States founded?
1953, as North States Wood Products, Inc.