I grew up in the 1970’s during the heyday of the American apparel manufacturing business. My dad was a salesman in that industry. This was the pre Wal-Mart era where businesses flourished in town squares all across America. Over a short time we all saw the industry simply dry up and blow away due to mass marketers and apparel (as well as everything else) being imported from China, Vietnam, Indonesia and points beyond.
I am no longer associated with the apparel business, rather in packaging now, but my roots run very deep into the good soil of small town USA. I have always wanted in some way to bring back at least a portion of this industry.
I took our senior product manager with me to a fabric industry show in Charlotte recently. First time I’d been to Charlotte, NC…nice place and friendly people, especially the taxi drivers. On the way to the convention center I talked to a taxi driver about what we were there for and that we really want to try and bring back more fabricating back to this country. The driver said he knows many people in the NC area who have lost their jobs due to textiles being made anywhere but here. He was glad to hear what we said, and in turn he told me something that made the trip totally worth while to me…he said “You got to start somewhere”… and so we are.
We know nothing about cutting, sewing, fabrication, manufacturing, etc. but we believe that with the right contacts, equipment and American resources we can make quality, affordable, reusable fabric bags and related products not only in America, but by Americans and from American materials as well.
But when we told some vendors at the show what we wanted to do, why we were there, they just by default said…”well nobody makes those bags here”, and simply dismissed the thought of it. But after about 6 hours of seeking and talking we found people that wanted to listen and soon we had the beginnings of a plan. In fact we actually made a bag! The taxi driver was right. Those short sighted vendors were not, and they did not get our business either.
It is going to be a while before we get this figured out, but it is exciting to hope that it can be done, and that we can bring another change to the market, to our customers and to an extent to our country. In the meanwhile you will notice that all of our Green Way TM products are made in the USA as well as 90% + of all our new products.
2009 is indeed time for change… You want it, your customers want it and so do we. Leave us you comments and questions. Give us your opinion, feedback, contacts, help us if you can! Emailat [email protected] or leave a comment on the blog. And remember get out to the trade shows: Nashville Wraps Trade Show Schedule.
Robby Meadows, Nashville Wraps
Loved the comments here about Amercain Made goods. We all realize that there is a minimum amount of goods made here, but if enough of us do our part to change this..we CAN change this…so..DO IT! Stay out of the Walmarts of the world. A good source of finding companies that are american owned is the book:
“How Americans Can Buy American” by Robert Simmermaker. It is well worth the few dollars it costs.
I own the New England Sampler, in Manchester, NH. I have been in business for 5 years and have approximately 80% NH made inventory. The rest is made or designed for New England. While I admit that I have about 7 vendors that have their products made outside of USA, the vast majority of over 100 vendors are made right here in NH or New England. I try to focus on NH and New England made. Not only is it better for our local economy, it’s greener requiring less fuel and transportation. And it was the best choice I made when starting my business. Just one problem. I would love to find New England made stuffed animals. But no one seems to make them in New England or USA. If anyone knows of a company that makes them here, let me know and I will change. Thanks, Barbara Potvin, The New England Sampler, Manchester, NH
YES ! Absolutely! Thank you for writing this article. I hope to see the attitude and beliefs you display here continue to spread throughout the USA, to buyers and manufacturers alike. I am an independent designer and currently have a line of handbags that are, you guessed it…made in the USA. I had the option to have them manufactured overseas which would have been cheaper ( even with the international postage)…but there is NO WAY. I am proud to be able to do my part to have my designs made here in the US.
I’m glad I have been able to count on Nashville Wraps for packaging supplies that I need. And I love you even more now that I know you are so pro “Made in the USA”. Thank you!!!
It’s great to see the interest and support for Made in the USA. I started my own design and manufacturing company 2 years ago, but looked overseas to produce our goods. After 2 years of receiving damaged goods, dealing with communication issues, delayed delivery times and high shipping, we decided that it was time to close our overseas office and bring our production to the US. It hasn’t been easy because of the funding, but we are finding more and more people from our local government to textile suppliers that are excited to see manufacturing come back to the US! We hope to be back up and running by mid-year We currently use Nashville Wraps ribbons and packaging in our products. It’s great to network with companies that share the same passion for US manufacturing.
I am a firm believer of Made in the USA….My employees listen and only buy Made in America…We all drive GM Cars….This is what we have to turn around….Buy only American Ford, Chevy, Cadiallac,Buick etc….
Same for my business I try and try but there is very little Made in America….but when I can I do…
It’s so nice to hear others say they read the labels and buy American made products ~ even if we have to pay a few cents more!! I look for American made first when purchasing things and it is surprising if you really look you can find “made in America”!!! Let’s work together and make sure we are heard and want MORE made in America products and not have to look too hard for them! That’s the CHANGE I want to see!!
I too grew up in the 70’s and miss the quality and MADE IN AMERICA tags on my clothes!!
My dad always taught me to look for the “Made in the USA ” label on things. He was one of the hardest working men I have ever known and also a veteran. He believes in buying American to support America. In support of that, I started my own hand poured candle business (Fella’s Candleworks) and I am proud to say that there are alot of local people that feel the same way. We can make great products at a fair price right here in our country!!!! So from Fella’s Candleworks: Thanks for buying American!!!!
Rhonda Fella
200 E. Brown St.
Dale, IN 47523
(812)937-4591
My lingerie store for real women is focused on buying USA made products. Interestingly we’re finding many of the USA made sleepwear is of superior quality, so people don’t mind paying a little more. We’re all in this together and I think we can build a stronger economy by investing in our own nation’s manufacturing efforts.
Wow, how moving. We make all our jewelry also, if anyone has any leads on where I can purchase my sterling silver findings usa made and other crystal beads that would be awesome. I our goal this year is to push USA made also local small business like myself.
Keep up the good work
Yes, we have to start somewhere!
We have a cottage industry sewing our product line, right here in the USA, NJ in fact!
We could source it out, maybe India, but I want more than quality control. I want the satisfaction of knowing that the women we employ are able to be financially strong and home with their families.
Great story. Our company EK DESIGNS JEWELRY is reasonably priced, fine USA crafted sterling jewelry that jewelry retailers are loving. Some say our all-American line “saved Christmas.” Go American Made!!!!
This past weekend I was at Albertson’s. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle
and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled “Everyday Value” I picked up both types of bulbs
and compared the stats – they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday
Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value
brand was made in – get ready for this – the USA . So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day
that are made right here – from a company in Cleveland OH! I’m sure that you can find the same at your local store.
So on to another aisle – Bounce Dryer Sheets….yep you guessed it Bounce was more money and made in Canada, the
Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed
just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
So my challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is
made in the USA – the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light
bulb at a time 🙂 !
Besides you might save a little green in the process.
Help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here.