This blog profiles companies that make their products in the United States of America. It will also examine policies and solutions to increase manufacturing in the United States.
Diane Sawyer and ABC World News have a series of segments on how difficult it is to bring jobs back to the USA after they have been outsourced.
The series also has its own webpage. And it contains some interesting content that includes a profile of a family that is buying only goods made in the USA, an interactive map that tells you where goods are still made in the USA and a section where you can upload pictures of American made products that are in your home.
The Usry family shows how difficult it is to find products that are made in the USA but they are dedicated and doing a pretty good job of it.
It is good to see a major media outlet put forth the effort and resources on this issue.
For those not up on government agency acronyms, DARPA stands for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. And just what does DARPA do? It was DARPA that was the guiding hand and funding source behind what we know as the internet (sorry Mr. Gore), the stealth fighter and the M16 Assault Rifle. One of their recent creations is the "Boomerang".
The Boomerang is essentially a listening device with special technology that enables it to identify where gun fire is coming from even while moving. This of course has powerful real world implications for urban warfare as well as low intensity conflict areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq where snipers and potshot takers abound. Deployment of this technology should dramatically decrease the effectiveness of enemy snipers as they won't be able to take advantage of stealth or camouflage.
Further into the article Mims links to another article regarding DARPA in InfoWorld. In the InfoWorld story by Paul F. Roberts, he quotes DARPA's Director, Dr. Regina Dugan's testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities wherein she stated for the record "One of the biggest challenges we face as a Nation is the decline in our ability to make things".
DARPA's Director's warnings echos those of retired U.S. Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor. In Season 5 of Dan Rather Reports on HDNet entitled What Happened Next: The Future of the Military, Col. Macgregor stated that the core reason behind the United States reign as a military and economic super power in the 20th century was due to its heavy manufacturing base.
Col. Macgregor lays it straight out: "The first concern for every American should be prosperity because economic prosperity is the foundation for military power. We are not a great military power because we had genius generals. We are not a great military power because God necessarily selected us for the role. We are a great military power because of this economic engine that was constructed between the Civil War and World War I and then expanded as a result of World War II. That engine is in trouble. We have exported much of its manufacturing base overseas. We don't have the skilled labor force that we once had because we haven't trained them, we haven't educated them. We don't have the ability to absorb millions of people into this manufacturing base anymore. So we have to build a new manufacturing base. That should be our number one-- concern: prosperity, economic prosperity."
So according to the experts, it is clear from a military and national security standpoint, that America will not continue to be a super power unless it can actually manufacture the technology and products that it invents and designs.
Market researchers have analyzed reader behavior and apparently, people are drawn to lists like the "Top 10 Cities to Raise a Family" or the "Top 5 Companies for MBA Graduates" or the "Top 10 Business Friendly States" or "The 10 Most Beautiful People" or even the "Top 10 Top 10 Lists of All Time"....In short, folks of all ages and backgrounds like to see how things stack up. And their downloads and click-throughs prove this empirically.
So with the above in mind and inspiration from the Master of The Top 10 List - David Letterman - I have assembled the Ultimate Top 10 Reasons to Buy American Made Products
10. American Made Toys Are Lead Free
9. Toys Made In The USA Are Cadmium Free (I can live with destabilized plastic)
8. US Made Dry Wall Won't Corrode Your Home's Electrical Wiring
7. The US Stopped Exploiting Child Labor Early in the 20th Century
6. US Companies Respect Trademarks and Copyrights (for the most part :))
5. I Prefer That My Hard Earned Money Remain In A Free Republic Rather Than Flowing to A Totalitarian State That Engages In Cyber-Attacks, Copyright Violations And Corporate Espionage.
4. 9 Out Of 10 Economists Agree - Reducing The Trade Imbalance Is As Important As Reducing High Cholesterol And Using Sugar Free Gum – (the 1 out of 10 is an agent of a foreign government and likely not registered as a lobbyist either)
3. I Like My Paper Money To Be Worth A Little MORE Than The Paper It's Printed On
2. If The Downward Trend In US Manufacturing Continues We Will Pass A Point Of No Return. (To quote Dr. Peter Vankman It will be “ a disaster of biblical proportions….Human sacrifices, dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!” Need I say more?)
Ok, how many parents and kids just froze? Teachers? If the test results over the past decade regarding American students’ decline in math and science skills are accurate, then I bet a lot of people dread those two words. But math and science are more vital than ever for students as the 21st century gets underway.
3 Real-World Reasons That Math & Science Education Is Important
From an economic standpoint, the United States will not remain an economic powerhouse without lots of people in the workforce with math and science background – period.
From a humanitarian standpoint, without scientists, engineers and mathematicians many of the comforts, tools, machines and techniques that we take for granted would not exist. And, if there are less people with a background in math and science, there will be less people to work on cures for diseases, less people to work on the next generation of transportation solutions (think Star Trek’s transporter) and even less people to work on the next generation iPhone or Xbox!
Thirdly, the reality is that jobs/careers in science and technology pay higher than most others. And as most soon to be college grads can attest to, students receiving a degree in a science or math field are in far more demand than those students pursuing a B.A. in Liberal Arts or a B.S. in Business. Right, wrong or indifferent, that's just the way it is.
Early Exposure To Science Is Vital For Young Minds
Educators agree that introducing reading and math concepts an early age can help increase the odds of a child’s academic success in those areas. All childhood development experts will tell you that instilling a sense of exploration, wonder and fun is key when teaching to young minds. And when it comes to teaching math and science those elements are even more important. That is where Fractiles comes in.
Fractiles is gem of a company that I discovered, when visiting The Ark in Berkeley, CA. (For those of you in the Bay area, I highly recommend visiting The Ark if you are looking for a wide selection of great toys.) Founded in 1998 by Beverly Johnson and Marc Pelletier, Fractiles’ mission is to “help bring the beauty of geometry into the mainstream”.
Just What Are Fractiles?
Fractiles -7 is award winning geometrical magnetic tiling toy that can make an endless variety of designs.
Fractiles-7 A Great Toy and So Much More.
Fractiles-7 is great for building fine motor skills, initiating creativity, promoting open-ended play and advancing spatial concepts, perception, geometry and math. These are all very important activities for a developing mind to be exposed to. Best of all, children are exposed to these activities from just playing, tinkering and noodling around with Fractiles’ pieces.
Working, or I should say playing, with Fractiles is fun and enthralling without feeling like you are working on the Pythagorean theorem or a Mandelbrot set. But in fact, by playing with Fractiles, children are become familiar and comfortable with very important scientific and mathematical concepts that they can reference as a foundation to build upon.
Great Brain Exercise For Any Age
With the advances in neuroscience and the recent discovery of the brain’s neuroplasticity, it is no wonder that Fractiles is beneficial not only for children but also for adults and even those adults with Alzheimer’s, according to Fractiles’ founder Beverly Johnson.
Fractiles is also useful for adults that want to keep their grey matter in shape and slow down the effects of aging. Studies have shown that in addition to reading; puzzles, brain teasers, logic puzzles and creative thinking increases your memory and reasoning power. You could say that Fractiles is to the brain what weight training is to muscles. Like they say, use it or lose it. Don’t let atrophy set in.
Submit Your Creation And Resources for Teachers Using Fratciles
Fractiles’ website also has a section where you can submit a photo of your original Fractiles creation to be shown on the website and where you can see what others have created. And if you are a teacher or a homeschooler, Fractiles has tips and lesson plans for using its products.
Hands On Testing
From my non-scientific “study” of Fractals I can say that it is engrossing and fun. You can create starbursts, spirals, butterflies, mandalas, flowers, and just about anything that you can think of or visualize. One of the most intriguing aspects of Fractiles is that some of the designs take on an almost 3D effect - somewhat like a stereogram. It’s very cool to see the design jump off the board. Both my 4 year old and 6 year old gave Fractiles an enthusiastic thumbs up. My 4 year old likes making her own creations and my 6 year old would sit and focus in on replicating the sample patterns that are provided in the Fractiles' kit. And a few of my relatives that are engineers enjoyed it as well. Getting very positive reviews from such a wide range of people is an achievement for any product, let alone a toy or educational tool.
Commitment to Children
Since its inception over 11 years ago, Fractiles has been committed to producing high-quality toys in the USA with safe and ethical production. In fact, all Fractiles’ toys are tested by a certified laboratory to assure that Fractiles meets or exceeds all U.S. regulations and standards for toy safety (CPSIA 2008).
So as you shop for the children both young and old (Fractileswebsite where you can either purchase their products or you can search for a retailer near you that carries Fractiles.
Bottom line
Fractiles is fun, educational, environmentally friendly, rigorously tested, timeless and therapeutic. One more thing, as Fractiles comes in a “travel size” edition, it is a great “toy” to bring along on long road trips to Grandma’s house, Jet Propulsion Labs or wherever your kids travel to.
Green Toys makes environmentally friendly, kid safe, durable and FUN toys from recycled plastic right here in the good ole’ US of A. That’s right! And their toys are rated "awesome" and "cool" from a very fickle clientele - my daughters and nephews.
The Quest for a Tea Set
About two years ago, my daughter came across a tea set that she "really really really really really really wanted." She said "really" a few dozen more times but for the sake of brevity* (and my sanity) I have forgone giving her quote verbatim. Unfortunately for her, from my perspective, the tea set looked cheap, felt cheap and worst of all it was made in a foreign country that has experienced significant issues with lead and cadmium in their toys. In any event, I skillfully redirected her attention and we headed for the store’s exit.
Later, while shopping at another toy store, we came across Green Toys' Tea Set. My daughter carefully examined it and “really*” liked it. While I was not (and I’m still not) an expert on play tea sets, this one looked very well made, it was environmentally friendly and it was made in the USA. A Trifecta!
Needless to say, the Green Toys Tea Set came home with us and it has provided lots of fun play for my daughters. In fact, my daughters tell me that all the Disney Princesses and the "real" Queen of England have quite enjoyed tea with that very set.Perhaps Green Toys can get Queen Elizabeth's Royal Warrant mark? I can see it now...By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen - Purveyors of The Finest Play Tea Set - Green Toys.
Encounter With A Cool Recycling Truck
About a year ago, I picked up a plastic Recycling Truck for my nephew’s birthday. It looked cool (or at least I thought it would to a 4 year old). I saw that Green Toys made the Recycling Truck - the same company that made the tea set my daughters love. I knew if they made the truck as well as they did the tea set, it would be great. Besides looking tough and pretty neat, I saw that it was made of recycled milk jugs and was BPA free.
Green Toys' Recycling Truck In Action
While I appreciate, as much as the next parent does, toys made with 110% of the recommended daily allowance of lead, gamma hydroxy butyrate, BPA, PVC, phthalates and cadmium for youngsters, I decided that maybe, just maybe, I should try to keep my children away from that stuff. I know, I know, I'm radical like that.
So I bought the Recycling Truck from Green Toys. I knew that my nephew would like it and I would have peace of mind that he wouldn’t be exposed to toxic chemicals, heavy metals or other hazardous materials in the toy.
The Fire Truck Incident
About a month ago, I came across a very cool toy store called The Ark. The Ark had an amazing collection of toys for all ages. And there, on a table was the Recycling Truck made by Green Toys that I had bought for my nephew a year ago. And right next to it was a really cool new Fire Truck by Green Toys.
Fire Truck from Green Toys
Yes, the roof ladder is fully operational (pivots vertically and moves 360 degrees) and the side ladders are removable too.
I picked up the box that the Fire Truck came in and there it jumped out at me – Made in USA. I thought Green Toys would be the perfect toy company to profile as we enter the season of giving.
A Mighty Dump Truck
Below is a video of kids playing with Green Toys' Dump Truck. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I suppose that a moving picture is worth a hundred thousand words. Video is courtesy of Green Toys.
View From The Top Into 2011
I was fortunate to speak with Robert von Goeben - Co-Founder of Green Toys and learn a more about Green Toys and what they have planned for the future.
First, he informed me that Green Toys would be introducing a full line of tableware for kids in early 2011 under the Green Eats brand/trade mark. The new Tableware collection is not only environmentally friendly but it is dishwasher safe.
The impetus for the Tableware collection came from parent feedback and enquiries regarding whether or not Green Toys made tableware for kids. There was an obvious demand in the market that wasn’t being met and Green Toys was in a great position to address it.
Forks & Spoons from Green Eats
Green Eats' Table Top Set
When I asked Robert about other new products in 2011, he could not go into specifics but he said that Green Toys would be expanding its offerings in 2011. Could it be that the Fire Truck gets a friend?...say a police car or ambulance or even a rescue helicopter?
Based on their customer focus, continuous innovation and adherence to making fun environmentally friendly toys, I’m pretty sure that parents and kids will both be very happy. We’ll just have to wait and see what neat additions come from Green Toys in 2011.
360° Commitment to the Environment
Robert also explained that Green Toys’ commitment to the environment permeates its entire operation and mission.
Source Material – Recycled, Safe & Local
So let’s start with the source material - plastic. All of Green Toys toys start off as food safe grade plastic – remember all those plastic milk jugs you sort in your recycle bins. Yup. That is the source material for the toys and tableware.
Moreover, purchasing the material locally, in California, where Green Toys is based, does a few neat things; it supports and encourages recycling (since there is a demand for the material); it creates jobs in California, USA, and it reduces the carbon footprint of its products since the source material isn’t being shipped across the ocean.
Sourcing material from overseas can reduce costs and perhaps boost a company’s bottom-line, but in fact, those benefits are essentially wiped out when you consider the massive impact that large cargo ships have on the environment just from their use of heavy oil fuel and the resulting high emissions of sulfur alone. For further details click on the link below. It will really open your eyes to the total cost of manufacturing or sourcing materials from overseas.
Another way that Green Toys is gentle on the environment is the very fact that they decided to manufacture their product in California. For those unfamiliar with environmental standards and regulations in the United States, California is usually years if not decades ahead of the rest of the nation in implementing environmental regulation. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum as to the reasonableness or need of such regulation, there is no doubt that having to comply with them can increase the cost of doing business. Green Toys did not let that deter them in establishing their company in California. Having said all that, companies that manufacture in California are subject to some of the most stringent clean air and anti-pollution measures around. This means that Green Toys manufacturing is, by default, environmentally friendly since their entire operation is based in the Golden State.
Green Packaging:
Finally, it seems as though everything and every toy must come in a box or package. Green Toys makes sure that 100% of the material used in its packaging comes from recycled material and that it is also 100% recyclable. Additionally, Green Toys experiments with making their packaging as minimal as possible.
A Win-Win-Win for Everyone
With Green Toys it really is a win-win-win situation. Children get a fun, well designed, USA made toy that’s tough; parents don’t need to worry about inadvertently exposing their children to known carcinogens, hormone disruptors or heavy metals that can damage their damage development; and American worker's don't see their job sent overseas.
This Christmas if you are looking for fun and well made toys check out Green Toys. If toys that are environmentally friendly are important to you, check out Green Toys. If you don’t want to worry about the toy you buy ending up on a government recall list for toxins, then check out Green Toys. If you are looking for toys that promote open-ended l play, go get a Green Toys toy. If supporting companies that make great products in the USA in a priority to you, than you need to visit GreenToys.com and load up on those Christmas presents.
I guess Kermit the Frog was wrong, it is easy being green!
That Magical Time of The Year While Christmas is first and foremost a religious celebration, it is also a time of giving to others and that is especially true for parents (and Santa) looking to give their children just the right toy. That job hasn't become any easier over the past few years with the increase of toy recalls due to high levels of lead, other toxins and potential carcinogens. I mean really, I thought coal in the stocking was bad enough but it seems like today, toys need to come with an MSDS besides their instructions and a haz-mat suit!
I don't know about you, but I don't want to see Santa have to go from wearing his traditional red suit to a chemical suit. But if he must, my favorite is the MSA Vaurex Elite ET model. And it comes in Evergreen too - just for the holidays!
Santa Claus circa 1958
Santa circa 2009 Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas boys and girls.
Who wants a Superfund eligible toy?
Even if you aren't buying gifts this holiday season for children, it is still important to buy quality products made in the USA because this is the "make or break" time of year for most retailers and manufacturing companies.
Have you noticed the frenzy already? I walked into my neighborhood Lowe's the week before Halloween and they already had Christmas decorations up - bypassed Thanksgiving all together! And what about the pre-Black Friday, Black Friday events?
With they economy still sputtering and unemployment at near records highs in some areas, buying "American"/ products made in the USA for the holidays can spur job creation, decrease the trade deficit and help strengthen the US Dollar. And those are pretty strong reasons to buy American.
Send Me Info On Companies that Still Make their Products in the USA
If anyone comes across a neat product that is made in the USA, please feel free to forward the information to me and if everything looks good, I'll profile the company and the product.
So read on/scroll down to discover some great toys that are made in the USA by innovative companies that would make excellent Christmas presents.
Soul On The Go makes what they call "Focus Phrases for Life in Action!". I call it a great idea. And, not only are their products made in the USA but they are made in the little ole' state of Texas. For those concerned about environmental impact, never fear for Soul On The Go is nice to mother nature too.
As luck would have it, I met Amy, one of the founders of Soul On The Go, at a local charity event and learned about her company. After visiting their website, I saw that they made their product in the USA and I knew I had to put Soul On The Go on my blog.
Essentially, they are very cool sticky notes that have inspirational quotes and affirmations for topics such as sports, wellness, teenagers, bible, motivation and others. Soul On The Go serves a neat little tool that helps you to stay centered, focused and positive in a very hectic and complex world. I recall a marketing professor in college that would always tell the class that in life "attitude equals altitude". In other words, you can't be successful at whatever it is that you want to accomplish or overcome unless you face it with a positive attitude. I guess I could say that Soul On The Go helps you keep your attitude high so that you can reach your altitude. Philosophizer, I ain't - but I'm sure you get the idea.
Environmentally Friendly – Trees Will Want to Hug You!
As an added bonus these sticky notes are made with earth friendly materials and they are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). So your purchase is reinforcing sound forest management and not clear-cutting old growth forests and timber.
www.SoulOnTheGo.com - Home Page
Inspiration for Soul On The Go
Every packet of sticky notes contains about 25 notes with motivational quotes and/or affirmations focused on a specific topic as I mentioned earlier. The inspiration for Soul On The Go was Amy's daughter. Amy was looking for a way to instill and remind her daughter that all things are possible and to always be confident and positive. With the help and collaboration of two of Amy’s friends and now business partners, Soul On The Go arrived.
It's Like Opening A Little Present Every time
The packets are uniquely designed to unfold and reveal the pearl of wisdom contained on the note. It was fun opening up the Soul On The Go package. It is part diary and part sticky note pad. You'll need to get one to see what I mean. It's a simple but innovative packaging/user experience that would make Steve Jobs proud.
Give A Little Soul
Based on the price point and the number of topics, there is a Soul On The Go for everyone. If you are looking for a neat new way to stay motivated or focused or you know someone that could use a little encouragement, Soul On The Go will get you out of a rut and into action.
Put Some Soul In The Christmas Stockings
As Christmas is just a few weeks away, I think that Soul On The Go would make a great stocking stuffer. A great application of Soul On The Go is using it to transform New Year's resolutions into New Year's practice/action.
So there you have it. Soul On The Go can help move motivation into action, it's made in the USA and it's an environmentally friendly product. That's a lot to accomplish for such a pint-sized product.
