Jobs returning to the U.S.

The title of this article caught my attention: After “lemming” exodus, manufacturers look to U.S.

Frankly, it was the lemming in the header that did; the implication that when one goes they all go, often resulting in a mass migration turning into mass death.

To me, that’s what it implies—mass death of companies that took their manufacturing from the United States and sent it overseas where labor was cheaper. In that search for cheapness, what did they lose?

Jim McNerney, chief executive of world No. 2 planemaker Boeing had this to say about it: “We lost control in some cases over quality and service when we did that, we underestimated in some cases the value of our workers back here.”

 Boeing isn’t the only company returning its manufacturing to the United States: GE is as well.

 GE CEO Jeff Immelt said the largest U.S. conglomerate’s thinking evolved on the value of manufacturing inside the United States versus outside it.

“We’re basically moving our appliance manufacturing back from Mexico and China to basically Louisville (Kentucky),” he said. “When we looked at it on a cost basis, our labor is still higher, but it’s closer than it’s been in the past. And both materials and distribution are less expensive in the United States than imported. So we see the opportunity to bring jobs — certain jobs, not every job — back. And we think this is going to take place in areas like software as well.”

But what’s really needed to bring manufacturing jobs back to America? Education. Educating businesses, yes, that there’s more to staying in America than meets the eye but more importantly, education workers to tackle the technology necessary to work in these new manufacturing jobs.

Buy American? Buy local?

A short reminder that many small businesses also support the American economy:

Small business supports the local economy, with up to 64¢ of every dollar spent staying within the community. How does this help our buy American campaign? The more money spent in the local economy as opposed to going to a large box coorporation helps employ more locals, who will then spend more money in the local economy, who will then create more jobs, and the cirlce continues.

As for the buy American, many small local businesses sell Made in America merchandise. Places such as Harley Davidson often have American made items displayed. Plus Harley Davidson is a franchise, which means it’s really a small, locally owned business.

Fashion week and Made in America

Saw this lovely article this morning: Mirror, Mirror: American designers are waving the flag.

New York Fashion Week starts Thursday, and it appears the runways will be popping with a fashion flair that’s unmistakably all-American…

But there is something more: I believe it’s signaling that high fashion is beginning to focus on where clothes are made as much as what the clothes look like.

The words made in America are as important as the aesthetic.

I love that last line! Made in America is as important as the clothing itself. More and more people are starting to realize that!

For one thing, American-made clothing has a smaller carbon footprint. So, at a time when we are all going green, it’s considered much more environmentally friendly.

And designers trying to break into the business are realizing the costs of sourcing and manufacturing overseas. Why not go to Fourth Street for fabric, find a pattern-maker in South Philly, and have the stuff made in North Philly, like in the old days?

Which leads us to the biggest motivation: saving American jobs. The last five years have been hard economically, and part of the angst is because of the death of American jobs.

New York wasn’t the only manufacturing capital. At one time, Philadelphia was a leader in men’s tailoring.

Americans want to work, and that means making clothing.

According to Cotton Inc., a trade organization that tracks the attitudes of shoppers, 56 percent of consumers say buying clothing made in America is important to them.

Americans do want to work, and that’s something we all have to work toward. Putting Americans to work starts a cycle that keeps Americans at work, helps the environment, and makes our schools better. Who wouldn’t want that?

 

Another article I’ve read on this: ‘Made in America’ advocate Nanette Lepore debuts her Spring 2012 collection at New York Fashion Week

Where does our food come from?

You may have read recent headlines about a scare with orange juice.  The Food and Drug Administration issued a recall in January of a specific type of Orange that is being imported from Brazil.  The fact that we import oranges isn’t that surprising to me, in fact 26% of all our oranges are imported.  What scares me is that only 2% of all imported food, yes all of it, is inspected by the FDA.

 Another example is that we, as Americans, import 100% of our limes.  I couldn’t believe it either, but we do.  And of that, only 2% are inspected; however, if the food is produced in America for American consumption, there is nearly 100% chance that at least one agency is checking it.

We as a nation consume more than we can produce, but in an effort to Support America we need to make an effort to look where the product we’re buying is from.  Recently I went to a convenience store to buy a bottle of orange juice; to my surprise the main brands, Tropicana and Minute Maid, were made from imported oranges.  I had to search for a few minutes, but ultimately found that the store brand was made in America with American ingredients. As is Florida’s Natural, which is also a co-op.  It only took a minute but at least I can say that I Supported America. 

If you think this article was useful and someone you know would benefit from it, please pass along our link and let’s keep Supporting America.

FYI, this USDA site is a helpful link for food information and recalls.

Underwear

It’s the time of year to think about keeping warm while outside. And while Under Armour is a huge company (most major sports teams wear their product) there are other options that are not made in China, South America, or Mexico. However I do applaude Under Armour for sharing this information on their site. Most companies don’t.

These options are no more expensive, no less in quality, but are made in America. Wickers: Underwear for Anywhere is one such company. They make thermals for cold weather, but also a wide variety of other products, such as flame retardant and night sweats underwear.

Snowblowers-where is yours made?

As the calendar moves to February, we are in the midst of winter.  There are snow storms everyday throughout the country; and as Americans we buy snow blowers to help us cope with them.  Not only do most snow blowers do a great job, but they’re fun to use. 

As with everything, some are made in America and some are NOT.  If you go to Lowe’s or Home Depot you’ll find several different brands, but you have to be careful about where they’re made.  For example, Husqvarna is a very popular brand that has made huge inroads in the snow blower market, but they’re headquarters is located in Stockholm. Their site isn’t the best and I can’t find whether their products are maufactured in America or not.

It was difficult to find a snow blower made in America, but we did it.  I have a few brands that proudly boast the ‘Made in the USA’ label: Ariens, Honda, Troy Built and Craftsman make the short list. 

Yes, Honda, a Japanese company actually manufactures their snow blowers here in America; they have plants in North Carolina and Georgia.    Ariens HQ is in Wisconsin (appropriate for snow blowers), Craftsman makes theirs in Valley City Ohio and Troy Built is manufactured in Cleveland Ohio. 

Keep this in mind if you’re in the market for a new snow blower.  As always, check the manufacturing label before you buy and let’s keep SUPPORTING AMERICA.  If you like this article and think someone else would benefit from it, please pass along the link.

Household Appliances

These everyday items are probably the one thing that we as Americans take for granted more than anything else.  Dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, washers/dryers etc; when they break or wear out, we immediately start shopping around for a replacement; and I have one simple question. 

Are any appliances still made or assembled in America?  YES!

But like everything else we discuss here, you have to take a few extra steps to find it.  Most of the main stream names in the appliance arena have, at least some, of their products made in America. 

Much to my surprise, none of them actively advertise it on their respective web sites. 

Whirlpool, for example, is one of the world leaders in appliances. (I proudly own a Whirlpool refrigerator/freezer and on the information label it clearly states that it’s a product of America).   Headquartered in Michigan, they have manufacturing facilities throughout the Midwest, places like, Fort Smith Arkansas, Amana, Iowa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cleveland Tennessee and several cities in Ohio. 

 I’m currently contacting the company to inquire why they don’t actively promote Made in America, when I find out, I’ll pass it along.

 In the mean time,  when you shop for new appliances, take an extra second and look at the information label located on the inside of the door.  Let’s support our manufacturing jobs and Support America.  If you like this article, or think someone else would benefit from it, please pass along our link.

What will force Congress to listen to us?

Whatever we’re doing, or should I say not doing, now in Congress isn’t working. They blithely go about their business with little or no thought to what we, the people, want or need. This article from Reuters outlines some of that. 

 Democrats and Republicans fought all last year over the best way to control the country’s debt and annual budget deficit, as the two parties tried to position themselves for the 2012 elections.

 Really? Elections? That’s what they care about? Not whether the current unemployment rate of 8.5%  should maybe decrease? I won’t even get into the underemployment rate, currently hovering around 67% according to some statistics.  

Congress needs to focus on what’s important and that’s us. Americans need jobs. Period.

One simple change and big oil companies

We all know renewable energy is the future, but until then, until it’s in place and until those green energies are cost effective, we have oil. So let’s talk about BIG oil companies now and how we can Support America buy buying our everyday gas from American companies.

When your gas light comes on, you probably do what I do, pull over to the nearest gas station and start pumping.  But many times there are competing stations across the street from one another; are they both American owned and operated, or is one foreign owned?  Sometimes you have no choice and have to fill up, but if you do have a choice, wouldn’t it be nice to know you’re supporting America in the process. 

It’s no secret that we, as Americans, import vast amounts of oil every day from overseas; countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait , Canada and even Venezuela, to name a few.  We can’t stop that part of the process, although tens of thousands of Americans have jobs as a result of that.  But on a local level, we can chose were to buy gas and help our own country in the process.  For example, for years now, there has been email’s circulating about how Citgo is a Venezuelan company and we should boycott them.  Well, it’s true; it turns out Citgo is a U.S. Incorporated,  Venezuela owned refiner known as Petroleos’ De Venezuela. 

That’s not supporting America; many of the bigger names that we’re familiar with however, are; companies like Sunoco, Exxon, Chevron to name a few, here’s a complete list.

We’re still, as a country, going to import millions of barrels of oil every day, but we can do our part to help our local economy by choosing to fill up at stations owned by American companies.  Let’s keep Supporting America.

Car Companies employing Americas

Made in America is becoming a confusing phrase when it comes to automobiles these days.   Is your car Made in America?  How about Assembled in America?  What’s the difference, and does it matter?

The difference is that cars ‘Made in America’ are done by American companies.   However, assembled in America is good too. Why?  Because, for example, Toyota alone employs directly and indirectly over 200,000 people in America.  I don’t know about you, but as long as Americans are working…I’m happy. 

That, however, is just one example: most other automakers have facilities in America as well.  Take a look at this link and you’ll be surprised to see how many there are.  Not just Ford, Chrysler and GM, but also BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Suzuki. 

The list is long, but its not all inclusive.  While many models are made or assembled in America NOT ALL ARE.  So use this information when you look for your next new car and lets Support America.