Why "Made in the USA" matters

American-made products can represent much more than patriotic pride

By Jason Leniski -- Industrial Distribution, 8/1/2005

Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics again recorded another decline in U.S. manufacturing jobs. Does this matter? Is there a difference between a "Made in the USA" product, and products made in emerging economies?

At the macro-economic level, this subject is endlessly debated. At the micro level, this can only be answered factory by factory in terms of price, quality and service. After all, capitalism is a rough game that rewards only those who are able to offer products at a competitive price, at better quality, and with better service.

As a U.S. manufacturer, we face the challenge of low-cost imports every day. Only after our customers are convinced that our products are competitively priced, higher quality, and delivered with better service do they ask about where they are made. The products speak for themselves. So consider other reasons why "Made in the USA" matters.

Hi-Visibility Apparel manufacturing falls under the ANSI 107-2004 standard. Commonly known as the standard for "ANSI Vests," the standard establishes specific third-party tests for background fabric and reflective, as well as guidelines for garment and design. For fabrics, tests include initial brightness, color fading, washing, and combined visibility performance with reflective.

Many customers, including "first responders," require fire-resistant fabrics meeting the NFPA 701 standard or fire-retardant fabrics meeting the ASTM standard. A U.S. manufacturer must maintain these third-party test documents on hand.

For reflective, tests include photometric and physical performance against the same standards for fabrics. Again, U.S. manufacturers may only use reflective where third-party test documentation is readily available.

In care labeling, general marking and diagrams are specified as part of the Instructions for use. In garment design, both background materials and amounts of reflective are defined in square inches and square meters for each Class 1, 2, and 3.

U.S. raw material suppliers and manufacturers routinely maintain documentation of the tests and compliance to standards. In the event of a worksite incident where visibility is an issue, we know that one of the first telephone calls will be to us to prove this testing was done.

U.S. suppliers must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and OSHA work rules in production of ANSI garments. Factories must be safe, well lit, well ventilated, and clear of hazards. Workers are paid a fair wage, with contributions by employers for benefits. In turn, these workers contribute to their communities as consumers and taxpayers themselves.

U.S. manufactures will also customize products. Specific pocket designs allow for oversized radios or specific gear that must be carried in demanding work environments. Most manufacturers offer customization as a normal part of doing business.

So does "Made in the USA" matter? Our answer is yes. As a U.S. manufacturer, we have so far met the import challenge and have competitive prices; excellent quality and superior service.

How long we can maintain this will depend on our customers' and legislative support for "Made in the USA" products.