ABC News spotlights Made in America
Producers removed everything from one American family's home that was not made in U.S., then replaced them with domestically produced items. They also compared the pricing of American-made vs. the imports.
If you missed the series, you can watch the video clips here.
The home accents business has been heavily dominated by imports, especially Asian, for years. But as labor, freight, fuel and materials grow ever more expensive, some of the competitive cost benefits to importing are diminishing.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts -- is there a future for domestically made furnishings?
On a related note, industry veteran and former Austin SVP Andrew Cymrot has launched a new domestic production facility in Houston. He's one who believes that the time is right to in-source. Read the whole story here.
Mahalia commented:
Essays like this are so important to brodaennig people's horizons.
Gert commented:
Posts like this birhegtn up my day. Thanks for taking the time.
MacKenzie Dow commented:
Hello Jenny,
I read your editors note and cannot resist commenting about a wonderful furniture company by the name of MacKenzie Dow. They have a factory (the only one)in West Virginia that produces solely from American Hardwoods and mostly from Appalachian Cherry (local). They have a beautiful and diverse line that shouldn't be overlooked. Also, hey are members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and use 17th Century woodworking craftsmanship.
Sanford Design, Peter Rubin commented:
Dear Jenny
My ears always perk up when there is news about American made products.
We are American manufacturers of knitted throws sellingto the better design, retail and hospitality trade. We are very serious about keeping it here, as our customers feel the same way for them it is a very important selling point. I hope the rest of our nation will wake up and understand what has really happen to America due to the fossilization of our countries industries.
Peter Rubin, Snaford Design commented:
Dear Jenny
My ears always perk up when there is news about American made products.
We are American manufacturers of knitted throws sellingto the better design, retail and hospitality trade. We are very serious about keeping it here, as our customers feel the same way for them it is a very important selling point. I hope the rest of our nation will wake up and understand what has really happen to America due to the fossilization of our countries industries.
judith rose, Textillery Weavers commented:
Dear Jenny,
Textillery Weavers is the last surviving 'hand weaving' company is the United States. All of our products are woven by individual weavers here in Bloomington Indiana. We supply both hotels and residences with our throws and have been so pleased with the recent uptick of recognition that quality and support for American made products is important. My personal campaign is for all American made products to be tax free - lets fight back against imports and give the consumer some real incentive to 'buy American'. What do you think?
judith rose, Textillery Weavers commented:
Dear Jenny,
Textillery Weavers is the last surviving 'hand weaving' company is the United States. All of our products are woven by individual weavers here in Bloomington Indiana. We supply both hotels and residences with our throws and have been so pleased with the recent uptick of recognition that quality and support for American made products is important. My personal campaign is for all American made products to be tax free - lets fight back against imports and give the consumer some real incentive to 'buy American'. What do you think?
Maynard commented:
Hello,
Elite Home collections in Marion, Arkansas has been producing made in American lamps and home accessories since the 1950's. They have upgraded their product in the past year and their line looks terrific. You may want to contact them for their input.
Gene McGahan commented:
Hi, Jenny
Haeger Potteries has been in business since 1871 and we are proud to say we are going strong. We make ceramic lamps, vases, sculptures and bakeware. We are located in Dundee, IL and this year we are celebrating our 140th year of business. We just showed our bakeware line at the International Housewares Show this past week and we had a great show. We will be at the High Point show in April Design Center D 419. We made the ABC web site list. We work very hard to get new customers and keep our current customers.
Stephanie Lowder, Rare Bird Creative commented:
There's a profitable future for U.S./local-made furnishings that are - personal, fashionable, artisanal, sustainable, affordable, well-built, and any number of qualifiers. In other words, not a commodity.
There's also a profitable present tense for those same products/mfrs, providing they can communicate that availbility to potential customers - it's not easy to communicate in our Age Of Edit (eg, "no more words, no more hype, no more selling to me" , but it is possible.
Great question, Jenny. Keep up the great journalism.
Peggy Farabaugh, Vermont Woods Studios commented:
Hi Jenny,
We're an American furniture company, selling bedroom, living room and dining furniture that's 100% made in Vermont. Our business has actually been on the rise the last few years as customers are growing weary of the low quality of imports.
It's true that American made furniture is more expensive than imports but the quality is so much higher that in the long run American furniture has greater value. We have a lifetime guarantee on all of our furniture, whereas imports usually have a 1, 2 or 5 year limited warranty. Americans are realizing they can save money over time buying quality furniture that's made in the USA.
