Tag: Made-in-America

The United States has, in recent years, provided and continues to provide assistance to a number of countries who do not really share the nation’s ideals. A good number of these anti-American regimes have been supported with your tax dollars in various sectors including arms, healthcare, military training, and technical support.

The US government has provided various reasons to justify the continuous support for these countries that glaringly operate contrary democratic ideals, a far cry from what is obtainable in the US constitution. Today, anti-Americanism is particularly strong among the Middle Eastern nations. Let us take a quick look at three such regimes that have had economic ties with the US.

Iran: The past US administration created new openings to Iran resulting in taxpayers’ money being used in the funding of Middle East’s arms race. As it stands, the US involuntarily pays for some of Iran’s military expenditures. This comes with the reality that there are no formal diplomatic relations between the US and Iran. Both countries do not have direct diplomatic relations.

Egypt: Egypt has been an important and longtime economic and political ally with America. But studies have shown that in Egypt, very few members of the public favor the United States influence. This stems from perceived political interference by the later. Even as the new U.S. administration has been reexamining foreign assistance priorities, there are still chances of taking assistance to that country despite their political instability. However, reports have it that The United States has more interest in relating with a stable Egypt that is at peace with itself and its neighbors.

Saudi Arabia: Over several decades, the US and Saudi Arabia have been allies in certain economic and political interests such as support of stable oil prices, stability in the oil fields, and opposition to Communism. However, both countries have disagreed over some international policies such as that which concerns the state of Israel. There are some Saudis who view the American influence negatively. A good number of the populace has had hostile feelings towards Americans and the country’s ideals.

While it is ideal for the American government to uphold, service, and expand its foreign relationships, there have to be clear cut goals that should aim, not only at assisting the associating countries economically but also improve social harmony between both countries. If those goals are unrealistic both ways, the United States can still extend assistance to these nations with a minimum involvement of our tax dollars.

 

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

About 100,000 Americans get sick from contaminated food each year. Buying products from an American manufacturer is a smart way to protect yourself and your family from this havoc. The food safety standards in other countries aren’t as high as they are in the U.S., food production industries in these countries are least regulated and most corrupt. Unlike many foreign countries, in the United States of America, organic foods are carefully formulated and crafted, free of pesticides, chemicals, and genetic engineering.

Many countries are dealing with environmental pollution from unrestrained and unregulated industrial growth which has polluted their soil and waterways with toxic heavy metals that nothing grown in them is safe, much less organic. Many vegetables and fruits are irrigated with untreated industrial wastewater. Also, there is so much fraudulent labeling and rampant corruption within the government and manufacturing sectors that it’s not smart to trust what is put on the packaging.

Foods that are particularly vulnerable to becoming tainted include Fish, Chicken, Apples and apple juice, Rice, Mushrooms, Salt, Black Pepper, Green Peas, and Garlic just to mention a few. Many of this so-called organic food contain unsavory additives and drug residues, are mislabeled or are just generally filthy. It is paramount to get these products from a trusted American manufacturer, in order to avoided eating contaminated tainted foods.

A similar issue is seen in the electronic industry, many foreign countries’ manufacturers use parts that are not brand new for their products and some use substandard parts for their products. This can lead to a malfunctioning of these devices and sometimes can lead to these devices exploding. These substandard products threaten commercial transportation systems, medical devices and systems, and the computers and networks that run today’s financial markets and communications systems.

A savvy consumer can often tell at a glance whether a designer handbag or a pair of shoes is genuine or counterfeit. But electronics counterfeits, hiding deep within products and systems, are not so easy to detect. Very few of us open up gadgets to inspect the components inside, and even if we did, almost none of us would know how to distinguish good components from bad. The smart step to take in buying safe electronics is to buy electronics made by an American manufacturer. There are strict laws and regulations in the U.S. that prevents an American manufacturer from producing substandard electronics products.

To manufacture products in America, a company must comply with rigorous standards when regulating the use of toxic chemicals and dangerous materials that can cause either injury or health hazards. The large scale problem affecting many foreign food and electronics industries include confused and underfunded regulatory system, an over-centralized processing industry, and careless, or downright unscrupulous, food producers and electronics manufacturer.

Assuming more personal responsibility for our food safety requires some thought and effort, and it’s by no means fool proof. But it can also return a welcome measure of meaning to our food-buying routines. You can reduce your risk of eating tainted food by buying well-known brands, buying locally grown produce as much as possible and buying seafood only from an American manufacturer.

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

[apss_share]

American industries have long been the stalwarts of global trade. American-made products have been known for their craftsmanship, durability, and innovativeness. At home, these industries provide jobs to millions of Americans, which in turn strengthen the national economy. With the advent of globalization, there has been a dramatic change in the international trading landscape, which threatens to eradicate the American industries. Trading policies, changes in technology, and cheaper wages from developing countries have made American-made products less competitive in the international market.

Although the United States remains an economic powerhouse, American industries are on a rapid decline and are in danger of being completely eliminated by foreign competition. Cheaper imports diminish the demand for US-made products and without demand, industries will inevitably fall.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that several industries are headed for a massive decline in the next 10 years and the American workforce will continue to shrink as much as 50% across industries. Some industries decline faster than others depending on how vulnerable they are to changes in trade agreements and shifts in business trends.

Here are some of the American industries that have been destroyed by foreign competition as evidenced by the considerable decline in their growth, operations, and workforce.

Apparel and Textile Manufacturing

It’s significantly cheaper to outsource textile and apparel production to developing and emerging countries because of lower wages. Cheaper production costs means cheaper prices for consumers.

Leather and Hides

Weak domestic demand and the inability of US tanners and leather makers to export their products competitively contributed to the decline of the industry.

Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Although the conceptualization, design and innovation of equipment like televisions, radios, and smartphones are still being done on American soil, the actual production is done elsewhere where wages are much lower.

Computers and Peripherals Production

Although the high-end computer products are still being produced in the US, companies in this sector have moved manufacturing plants and jobs overseas where cheap mass-produced computer and peripherals are manufactured.

Spring and Wire Products

The industry was hit hard by the recession and was slow to recover. Factories and manufacturing plants were moved overseas where production costs are cheaper. It did not help that the overall demand shrank because of corresponding contractions in auto and homebuilding industries.

 Hardware Manufacturing

The fall of the hardware manufacturing industry is attributed to the influx of cheap imports. This made recovery from the recession very difficult.

One can argue that the easy access to foreign markets and cheap labor can increase corporate profitability, which is beneficial to the US economy in general. However, the results are less than favorable. Outsourcing has its advantages, but the current trend forces industries to rely heavily on it without regard to the long-term negative effects to the manufacturing sector. Shifting production overseas not only constitutes job loss, but also an outflow of American money and technology.

The decline of American industries is detrimental to the US economy in the long run. The eventual catastrophic effects will take the form of job losses, reduction in wealth, a lower standard of living, and possibly the collapse of the economy.

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

[apss_share]

According to a 2015 report by Consumer Reports, 80% of Americans say they prefer to purchase products made in the United States. More than 60% say they’d even pay 10% more for an American-made product. Think of the label “Made in America.” What brand images come to mind? Chances are, you’ve conjured up a picture of quality, class and durability.

Manufacturers in the United States of America have a reputation for getting it right the first time. Since The top manufacturing companies in America often can’t compete on price with the manufacturers that benefit from lower labor costs overseas, they have to compete on quality, service, or speed–and they have a reputation for doing all they can to defend that brand edge. This made American manufacturers invest more in advanced plants and technology, which give them an edge in manufacturing precision and flexibility.

The top manufacturing companies in America abide by strict labor laws. They ensure that products are made under humane working conditions and meet today’s stringent safety standards. Low pay and child labor will never be factored into getting products made. This cumulates in producing products of high quality.

To manufacture products in America, a company must comply with rigorous standards when regulating the use of toxic chemicals and dangerous materials that can cause either injury or health hazards. Not only are there rules for what the manufacturer can use during production, but also how the product should be handled from beginning to the end. This is not so with many products made overseas. Safety standards are often weak at best in many overseas countries. They do not regulate toxic chemicals such as lead or formaldehyde.

American made products are known for innovations and craftsmanship. For example, you can tell the difference between a well-crafted piece of furniture and one that was produced quickly to get it off the line. You can feel it in the wood. You can see it in the quality of the fabrics. You can sense it every time you pull open a drawer. Many American furniture makers craft their pieces by hand from solid wood and other natural materials. Same story with American made shoes, most styles are made from genuine leather, and many are sewn by hand. American manufacturers ensure they produce a resilient product that will withstand the test of time.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ensures manufacturers produce quality products that are safe for consumers. Buying goods made in the U.S. means you can rest easy knowing your products comply with American consumer protection laws and safety standards. In 2007, dozens of types of children’s toys made in China were recalled because they were unsafe. Some posed a choking hazard, while others contained dangerous chemicals like lead paint and kerosene, according to The New York Times.

It’s actually possible to buy nearly anything, from a new sweater to a washing machine, from an American manufacturer – if you know where to look. Various websites exist, along with ours, for the purpose of helping U.S. consumers spend their shopping dollars on quality products that are “Made in America.”

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

[apss_share]

Even though today there are fewer American-made goods for consumers, this does not mean that these products do not exist anymore. Quite a few American startups and longstanding veteran brands churn out various US-made products such as kitchen supplies, beauty products, accessories, and clothes. Customers have various reasons for opting for American-made goods such as:

–    Buying goods manufactured in America supports the workers who made them and it strengthens the American economy. Every U.S. manufacturer supports more jobs in other sections of the economy.

–    You might find there is a lack of safety and environmental regulation overseas, which threatens the health of the foreign workers and that of American consumers.

–    Countries that produce some goods bought by Americans at times have no laws in favor of the protection of workers’ rights.

–    Even though it is cheaper to manufacture in developing countries, you might find few or no regulations for environmental protection meaning they have higher amounts of pollutants in the environment.

–    U.S. made goods have a lower carbon footprint compared to those made overseas. Goods made in India or China must be shipped across the ocean to get to American stores, resulting in the production of greenhouse gases and burning of fossil fuels with every mile traveled.

–    Creation or saving of jobs is one of the most common reasons given by shoppers for buying American.

The Federal Trade Commission or FTC requires all products with ‘Made in USA’ on the label to have nearly or all their content made in America; this includes labor, processing, and parts. However, regardless of the regulation by the FTC of the usage of the words ‘Made in USA’, some products labeled ‘Designed in USA’ or ‘Assembled in USA’ do not necessarily have US-made parts. The best way to identify goods manufactured in America is to look for a ‘Country of Origin’ label.

The aim of this website is to provide American Manufactured Companies to guide you when looking to buy American. This will help the U.S. consumer to spend their dollars in a way that supports the U.S. economy. Here are lists of examples of American manufacturing companies below for various products.

List American Manufacturing Companies for Shoes

–    Kepner Scott

–    Red Wing Shoes

–    Chippewa Boots

–    Allen Edmonds

–    New Balance

List American Manufacturing Companies for Clothing

–    Socks: Fair Trade, Maggie’s Organics, Wigwam Mills

–    Underwear: Union House Apparel, Victoria’s Secret, Hanky Panky

–    Outerwear: Stormy Kromer, L.L. Bean, Filson

–    Formal Wear: Etsy, BL Couture

–    Casual Wear: Karen Kane, Eileen Fisher, Spreadshirt

–    Blue Jeans: Texas Jeans, Diamond Gusset, Levi’s

List American Manufacturing Companies for Furniture

–    White Lotus Home

–    Ultimate Sack

–    Simplicity Sofas

–    Online Amish Furniture

–    Vermont Woods Studios

List American Manufacturing Companies for Appliances

–    Bosch

–    Kitchen Aid

–    Frigidaire

–    GE

–    Maytag

–    Whirlpool

List of American Made Cars

–    Buick Enclave

–    Chevrolet Corvette

–    GMC Acadia

–    Honda Odyssey

–    Toyota Sienna

–    Chevrolet Traverse

–    Toyota Camry

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

[apss_share]

Actor Mike Rowe is best known as the always ready and willing host of Dirty Jobs, a Discovery Channel television show that premiered in 2005 and ran for seven seasons. As a fearless apprentice to everyday people who make a living doing difficult, disgusting, and sometimes downright dangerous work, Rowe’s experiences with hard labor make each episode both entertaining and educational.

In 2008, lessons and life-changing discoveries due to filming Dirty Jobs led to Row’s inspiring and laughter-inducing TED talk. He opens with a funny anecdote about a certain episode shot at a sheep ranch somewhere in Colorado. Rowe finds out that lamb castration is going to be part of the job; concerned and wanting to make sure that everything would be on the up and up, he does some research. He calls the Humane Society, the SPCA, even PETA. All of them agree on the proper way to do it: using two small rubber bands. Armed with the information, Rowe goes to the farm to film the episode, and is surprised by a very different process employed by Albert, the shepherd and resident expert. Long story short: Rowe stops filming and they discuss the difference between the “proper” way to castrate a lamb and the actual way it’s done on the farm, Albert allows Rowe to compare the two ways empirically, and hilarity ensues–but not without a clear realization for Rowe that would forever change the way he looked at these so-called “dirty jobs”. Common beliefs and views regarding what was right or were not so set in stone, after all. In fact, he realized even very popular convictions might be wrong. And if he–and the Humane Society, the SPCA and PETA–was wrong about lamb castration, what else could people be wrong about?

Following this funny flashback is a whole slew of Rowe’s quick takes on what many people regard as almost sacred truths. Is “follow your passion” the best advice? Does it discount the value of chasing opportunity or finding joy in steady work? Rowe tells the audience that the people he’s worked with enjoy what they do; they can smile and sing through hours of manual and repetitive labor, day after day. Are white collar jobs, or simply needing to work less hours in a day, really that much more desirable? Are there benefits and perks to blue collar jobs that we may be forgetting in this “war on work” our society has stealthily declared? Has mass media and advertising so heavily devalued the implied worth of manual and skilled labor that it’s caused an unfair marginalization? Rowe’s interactions with these fearless, tireless and happy people that he learns from in each episode of Dirty Jobs often result in them welcoming him into their fulfilling and balanced daily lives; even though films, shows, and ads seldom portray that reality. How can we have gotten it so wrong?

To end his TED talk, Rowe extols the virtues of the jobs that he’s come to understand more than most people in his periphery. “Clean and dirty aren’t opposites,” he says. “They’re two sides of the same coin.” A world full of white collar workers wouldn’t survive. Dirty jobs are essential, and there is no need for them to be painted in anything other than the best light.

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

[apss_share]

“American manufacturing is dying.” We’ve heard that line a million times in the media, in articles, in speeches, and in the social media posts of experts, laymen, and politicians alike. The perception in younger American minds is that manufacturing in America is a series of dirty and a dead-end jobs and that, more than trade deals and political spotlighting, is killing American manufacturing.

Changing that perception is going to be an uphill battle, mainly due to other industries benefiting greatly from the continued decline of the manufacturing industry. However, getting the word out on the modern face of American manufacturing will enable the rebirth of American industry in a very profound way. To do this, introducing them to the modern manufacturers is the best place to start.

For example, dirt and callouses aren’t a part of the 3D printing industry but the 3D printing industry is a growing field of American manufacturing. When they aren’t printing off fun puzzles for their kids to try, Mark Hammond and his brother, Gordon, of New York state, manufacture highly complex machine parts using industrial 3D printing technology.  It’s a new burgeoning manufacturing process that allows them to produce more products in less time than most of their overseas competitors.

Unlike the noisy manufacturing warehouses that are often a part of the manufacturing landscape, the inside of their manufacturing building according to their CNN interview is more akin to a “tech startup” than an actual manufacturing plant. The best part? Manufacturing is beginning to look a lot more like that and a lot less like the traditional manufacturing images most people have.

[bctt tweet=”You won’t recognize the new face of American manufacturing. ” ]

This is good news and bad news in a lot of ways. The good news is that the less physically demanding environment might appeal to the new generations who see sweat and toil as uncomfortable working conditions. The bad news is that because it has changed so much, many of the new generation are going to have a difficult time recognizing what they’re seeing, thus making combating negative stereotypes a difficult endeavor.

“It’s a real problem,” Mark Hammond said when speaking about the lack of visibility to new graduates. “People don’t recognize us as American manufacturers and that is what we are.”

It’s not just these new manufacturing industries that are having a hard time being recognized. Automotive giants, steel manufacturers, and chemical manufacturers are also having similar issues. Since technology is rapidly automating and being an integral part of the manufacturing process, a lot of the complex machinery has moved in that does not require constant human supervision, though it often requires a human touch. Unfortunately, this is again where invisibility is a real problem.

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

When researching career options students often overlook or disregard manufacturing jobs due to lack of recognition or lack of understanding what the job entails. This is where education on the topic of manufacturing would be a real service to the upcoming work force.

“Hopefully things will change,” Hammond said. “People will start to recognize our efforts as real contributors to the American economy.”

Have an idea of how we can further educate youth on American manufacturing processes? Let us know!

 

American manufacturers in today’s economy are faced with the struggle to find workers skilled enough to complete the tasks needed to operate efficiently. Currently, one in ten openings for manufacturing positions requiring skilled workers will remain unfilled. This is because of a shortage in talent and a shortage of people with the qualifications to do the job.

It is anticipated that between the years 2015 and 2025 there will be 3.5 million manufacturing positions that will need to be filled in the United States. The significance of this number could mean a lot of job potential for unemployed Americans and Americans coming of age during those years.

The problem that American manufacturers currently face is the fact that of those 3.5 million manufacturing positions, it is estimated that 2 million of those jobs will be unfilled simply because the manufacturing company won’t be able to find qualified workers with the necessary skills in today’s technology-run industry.

There is a large gap between the demand for qualified workers and people pursuing careers in American manufacturing processes. Unfortunately, ensuring that education and proper training is available to prospective workers is only a small part of the problem.

There is an on-going stigma centered around manufacturing jobs here in America and that plays a large part in the youth’s decision to pursue education and training in other fields of work. This stigma stems from an outdated and mistaken point of view about the American manufacturing industry.

With the struggles from the decline of the old standard of American manufacturing still being felt and the perception that investing the time and education into learning skills for manufacturing jobs will limit a person’s options should the company decide to outsource their work to off shore facilities, it is no wonder that there has been a widespread decline in people interested in pursuing careers within the American manufacturing industry.

If you like what you see and think this post would be of interest to someone, please share

Industry leaders here in the United States are working hard to help correct that stigma through education and advertisement. One of the ways they are tackling this problem is by focusing on the younger generation. In a recent survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation that was commissioned by Proto Labs, they found that more than two-thirds of the people involved in the survey did not view American manufacturing jobs as a high tech career choice.

Instead, the routines that people most commonly associate with American manufacturing jobs included working among machines, on assembly lines, non robotic technicians managing automated machines, and only a handful saw American manufacturing workers as software developers in front of computer screens.

The reality is that the days of people working assembly lines has long since passed. Those jobs aren’t as plentiful as they once were, but there is a growing need for new kinds of manufacturing jobs.

The rise in technology now requires skilled professionals who are able to keep up with the electronic and automated processes. The manufacturing industry needs workers who can trouble shoot these machines, complete complex computing tasks, operate these robots, and help in the development of these robots and automatic machines for future uses.

There is such a strong demand for automation and useful equipment that often times the industry isn’t able to keep up. Many companies are relying on the brilliant minds of the people they’ve hired to think of new and inventive ways to handle the large workflow.

Finding people trained in the areas companies need has become a nearly impossible task. Changing the perception of the people in general and youth entering the work force will help to fix this problem and hopefully open up more possibilities for the future of American manufacturing. Whether or not this education will prevent those 2 million job openings from remaining vacant remains to be seen.

American manufacturing companies have already started trying to engage the younger generation. GE is currently working on targeting millennials and the rising generation that will graduate in the next few years. They have done this by creating its “digital industrial” ad series. This ad series stars millennials, Sarah and Owen, and offers an alternative to expensive college costs.

GE has also launched a “Digital Industrial” filter for Snapchat. Snapchat is an app used by many millennials and the subtle targeting to the younger generation is not only a recruitment tool but also a rebranding effort to elevate the American manufacturing industry and the stigma around it.

Other companies have gone a step further. Lincoln Electric has invested money in the new age gear associated with virtual reality. They’ve created a virtual world where the user is transported to a plant floor where they can try their hand at welding. They use this technology at their career fairs and it provides a unique opportunity to actually let prospective employees try out the work and see if it is a good fit for them. This in turn will lead to people seeking out more training in those areas and letting go of the stigma around them.

People have started to move away from the idea that the only way to get ahead is through expensive and extensive years at college. The market is currently flooded with people who hold these degrees but we don’t have any workers able to do jobs in manufacturing positions. The result is a stressed economy with educated people unable to find jobs or a job that will cover the cost of their education and provide a roof over their head.

[bctt tweet=”Is there a way to prevent the death of American manufacturing?” ]

The American manufacturing industry is offering an alternative to this. They need jobs filled and they anticipate having more jobs in the coming years. By fighting back the stigma, they will be able to fill those jobs and help the American economy by giving back to the Americans in need of work. The stigma of uneducated employees working in manufacturing plants is also being fought. This is because it’s simply not true.

With so much technology involved in the American manufacturing industry, these jobs are requiring a highly skilled workforce that excels in the industry of robotic equipment automation controls.

They also need people skilled in software development. These manufacturing development jobs will require further education, but in the right areas. Those who want to put in the extra time and money to earning a four year college degree or higher need to be educated on which path to choose and by picking a path in software development they will have a steady stream of job opportunities in the coming years.

Encouraging Americans toward manufacturing and the many jobs needed to create successful manufacturing environments still remains an uphill battle. Only through education and a reconstitution of how we anticipate and think about manufacturing can we prevent the rare breed of the American worker from becoming extinct.