Conventional wisdom says U.S. companies have shuttered their factories and moved manufacturing abroad for cheap labor. During the recession, 2 million manufacturing jobs vanished. Here’s the story you don’t hear: The United States is still the world’s largest manufacturing economy, producing $1.6 trillion of goods each year, or 21 percent of global production. And that number may rise as more companies move back to the United States in search of lower costs and higher quality.The United States will experience a manufacturing renaissance within the next five years, predicts the Boston Consulting Group. Increases in Chinese wages and shipping costs, as well as subpar manufacturing quality overseas, have already inspired some companies to consider “onshoring” or “reshoring” their production efforts back to the United States. And as U.S.-based industrial giants such as General Electric and Caterpillar make the switch today, thousands of smaller companies continue to churn out best-in-class products across the country. We’re celebrating 10 American companies making signature consumer products with American ingenuity – and leaving foreign-made competitions in the dust.
KitchenAid mixers
When the Hobart Manufacturing Company sent its new mixer home with its executives for testing in 1915, one executive’s wife said, “I don’t care what you call it, this is the best kitchen aid I ever had.” Four years later, the brand KitchenAid emerged, taking the home appliance market by storm worldwide. For nearly a century, the mixer has remained at the core of KitchenAid’s success. “Our mixer is iconic,” said Deb O’Connor, senior manager for the brand experience at KitchenAid. “And it’s an All-American product.” KitchenAid mixers are all still made at the company’s main plant in Greenville, Ohio. Mixing enthusiasts can even watch the manufacturing process unfold at what O’Connor describes as “the prettiest plant you’ll ever see” thanks to the mixers’ bright and varied colors.
KitchenAid Mixers
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand MixersThe Artisan mixer's strong 325-watt motor delivers the power to handle the heaviest mixtures, and mixes large batches easily. The 5-quart polished-stainless-steel bowl with ergonomic handle is big enough to accommodate large batches of heavy mixtures. Its ergonomically designed handle is contoured to fit the hand and makes lifting the bowl more comfortable.
Unique Mixing Action
The beater spins clockwise as the shaft spins counterclockwise, moving the beater to 67 different points around the bowl. This unique mixing action creates a thorough blend of ingredients and eliminates the need to rotate the bowl.
Multiple Speeds
Ten speeds allow the user to select the right speed for the mixing job, from very high to very slow stir. It's easy to select the precise speed needed for a perfect mix.
Versatile Accessories
The flat beater, dough hook, and professional wire whip add to the versatility of the mixer. The flat beater is the ideal accessory for mixing normal to heavy batters. From cake mixes to firm cookie dough, the flat beater mixes quickly and thoroughly.
The dough hook mixes and kneads yeast dough, saving both time and the effort of hand-kneading. The wire whip incorporates the maximum amount of air in whipped mixtures for fluffier whipped cream and angel food cakes. All attachments are solidly constructed and attach easily to the stand mixer.
Easy Cleanup
The pouring shield fits around the top of the bowl and prevents ingredient splash-out. The chute makes it convenient and easy to add ingredients.
The tilt-back mixer head allows for easy access to bowl and beaters. A lock lever holds the mixer head securely in place and the bowl fastens tightly to the base.
Optional Attachments
Optional attachments (sold separately) complete the package to make cooking a pleasure. From citrus juicer to sausage stuffer, KitchenAid stand mixers can handle just about any job in the kitchen.
Conventional wisdom says U.S. companies have shuttered their factories and moved manufacturing abroad for cheap labor. During the recession, 2 million manufacturing jobs vanished. Here’s the story you don’t hear: The United States is still the world’s largest manufacturing economy, producing $1.6 trillion of goods each year, or 21 percent of global production. And that number may rise as more companies move back to the United States in search of lower costs and higher quality.The United States will experience a manufacturing renaissance within the next five years, predicts the Boston Consulting Group. Increases in Chinese wages and shipping costs, as well as subpar manufacturing quality overseas, have already inspired some companies to consider “onshoring” or “reshoring” their production efforts back to the United States. And as U.S.-based industrial giants such as General Electric and Caterpillar make the switch today, thousands of smaller companies continue to churn out best-in-class products across the country. We’re celebrating 10 American companies making signature consumer products with American ingenuity – and leaving foreign-made competitions in the dust.
Read more: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic-news/article/made-in-usa-10-great-products-still-made-here-slide-1-of-10/441087/#ixzz1WwVosxBn
Earnest Sewn jeans
Not only are Earnest Sewn jeans sewn in the United States, but they are also designed, washed, finished, and shipped in Los Angeles. According to Kearstin Nuckle, Earnest Sewn’s creative director for men’s and women’s denim, LA is home to the most innovative concepts and the best laundries in the world for denim wash.Weber grill
If you’re cooking with gas or charcoal this summer, odds are you’ll throw steaks on a Weber grill. The company attributes its success to the fact that its iconic charcoal-grill kettle design hasn’t changed shape since the grill was created in 1952.
Herman Miller chairs
The company has continued dominating its market by combining clever design and functionality. In fact, the Museum of Modern Design in New York has featured more than 50 Herman Miller designs, including its chairs. Lean manufacturing allows the company to produce a built-to-order Aeron chair (in any of 10 million different configurations) every 16 seconds, mainly at their two plants in Western Michigan.
Do you know what is still made in America?
Take the quiz.
Many Classic American Companies actually do their manufacturing overseas. Can you guess what products are REALLY made in America? Take the quiz here.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/page?id=12888326
Over 5.5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost in the US in the last decade. This has a “rippling effect” of four to five other jobs lost. That means, in total, there have been some 30 million jobs lost. In the last six years, over six million jobs have been outsourced. Many American factories have closed their doors and laid off their workers because they could not compete with lower cost producers. Many others have moved jobs offshore to survive and compete with lower-priced foreign made alternatives. Some have downsized to cut costs and survive in the face of reduced orders.
This year and last year combined have been the worst years for jobs since World War II. Jeff Faux, economist and founding president of the Economic Policy Institute, explains “With NAFTA, the World Trade Organization, and other trade deals of the last decade, American corporations are now tapping into a global supply of workers who can be trained to do everything from design to production, maintenance to marketing.” From 1993 to 2003, the US-Mexico trade balance went from a US net positive of $4.9 billion to a US net negative of $40.6 billion.1 America’s merchandise deficit with both Mexico and Canada reached $95 billion in the same period while the US textile and apparel industry saw a loss of 740,000 jobs! The playing field is even more unlevel when we try to compete with China where labor rates are roughly $1.00 per hour. But the wage differential is only part of the story. Tax incentives to export and currency manipulation may add another 40% advantage to China factories according to many estimates.
To read more, go to ...http://www.americanmadematters.com/our-jobs-matter.html.
Our Independence Matters
America was founded by courageous men and women seeking freedom and independence. Our forefathers fought and died for independence centuries ago. Immigrants from all over the world re-located here to find freedom, independence and a better life. However, America’s reliance on foreign countries for products, technology, labor, and natural resources threatens our independence.
The US used to lead the world in engineering, research and mechanical design. But since 2004, that title has been lost. Paul Craig Roberts, economist, columnist for Creators Syndicate, and former Assistant Secretary of Treasury, says “The idea is nonsensical that the United States can remain at the front of research, innovation, design and engineering while the country ceases to make things. Research and product development invariably follow manufacturing.”
Many have predicted that we would replace manufacturing jobs with technology jobs but with the sharp decline in manufacturing, America loses supporting jobs like research and development. Government spending cannot bail this out. Federal spending for energy research dropped from 5.5 billion in 1978 to 793 million in 2005. The budget for aeronautics research at NASA fell from 594 million to 512 million.
Long standing American manufacturing industries are dying out because they simply can’t compete with subsidized foreign companies. This means more unemployed American workers, more sub-par quality products, and more dependence on other countries to grow and make what we need to survive. “Advanced automotive design studios “are popping up like rabbits in China,” notes Eric Noble, president of The Car Lab, an automotive consultancy. Writes Paul Roberts: “the idea is nonsensical that the United States can remain at the front of research, innovation, design and engineering while the country ceases to make things. Research and product development invariably follow manufacturing. To read more: http://www.americanmadematters.com/our-independence-matters.html
