I smiled when I saw the hunt begin for a U.S. made coffee maker. My head shook when they thought they found one.
Made in America: Finding U.S. Products
The Usry family is in for a very nice temporary household upgrade, as the products are on loan from the companies. Their home will be filled with American made products that deliver quality and safety, simply - they deliver a good value.
I do suggest a visit to the ABC World News web page where you can view numerous videos, take a quiz, explore an interactive map, as well as find other engaging material.
ABC World News - Made in America
I'm delighted that our national media has seized an important topic and is undoubtedly raising awareness. This is an informative and inspiring series and is actually quite thorough. They stress the jobs that can be created by purchasing Made in USA products.
As I've stated on this Blog, consumers are the force within the marketplace. Your every whim, interest, desire, curiosity, inclination, etc., once known will be researched, charted, graphed, and studied resulting in early morning meetings. It only takes a small percentage of shift in your spending habits to trigger those meetings.
30 years ago, before I was ever a manufacturer, I made a simple decision to buy American because I liked the idea that someone like my dad would get a paycheck from the money I spent. Supporting or creating a job for a fellow American appears to be quite altruistic, a trait I attribute to my mother.
Across those decades though, I came to realize how much I had done for myself. My home is filled with products that deliver customer satisfaction, durability, quality, innovation, safety and value. Regardless of price, my purchases came with a lower cost to own.
I am someone who is still using my parents waffle maker. Like them, I spend my money once and I'm done. When I consider folks who purchase imports and spend their money repeatedly, it actually appears quite extravagant to me. My suspicion is they somehow believe they are saving money. Huh.
You will likely enjoy reading these five Blogs from people who have dedicated themselves to buying American.
China Ate My Jeans
Joe of America
Buy American Challenge
Shopping Made in the USA
Shelley's Made in The USA 365 Day Challenge
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
Showing posts with label demand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label demand. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Observations of Growth in U.S. Manufacturing & Consumer Power
Detailed multi colored reports with graphs are nice, but they don't compare to what my own eyes witness.
We've been conducting a full review of each department on our site. This presented the opportunity for me to visit some businesses I hadn't personally browsed in several months. I am the one who is most familiar with the inventory of all the companies we list.
I'm very pleased to share my observations and conclusions. Keep in mind this involves domestic consumer products and this is happening in a down economy at a time when banks aren't lending.
My observations:
We removed only one link to a site that appears to be offline. It's possible that one company ceased operations but we'll return in the future to see if a new site appears.
Many smaller companies have invested in their web sites and have redesigned them or added e-commerce. Some companies with attractive and well designed sites have further improved their web sites.
The updates of a number of web sites now permit them to search in our Marketplace search. Those sites have since been added and their products can now more easily be found via that feature on our site.
Many American manufacturers have expanded their lines. Some have even expanded their lines into other types of products suitable for listing in additional departments. My own company contributed a new product to the marketplace this year so we too are part of this trend.
There are several manufacturers who are having difficulty meeting demand. They are noting for their customers the expected future date when they can fill orders. (I'm wondering if those companies will soon hire.)
Many retail sites where a keyword such as "USA" was necessary is now unnecessary because those retailers have since added Made in USA departments to their sites.
We've recently added to our site two new online malls that are filled with U.S. made consumer goods.
We also came across several retailers suggesting to their visitors that purchases of Made in USA products be made early, prior to need because of increased demand for such goods. One retailer even described the increased demand as "extreme."
We check many things related to the sites we list, including their traffic. The trend is up for nearly all sites, including other directories, Blogs & resources. This indicates to us that there is definitely an increased interest & demand for U.S. made product.
There is willingness, even in a down economy, to manufacture in the U.S. and enter the marketplace. This is demonstrated to us by a growing number of new companies that we set aside for research & review prior to appearing on our site.
Overall I see progress, growth and expansion with the American manufacturers & selected retailers we list and I am heartened. I'm looking forward to a full review of the remaining departments.
My conclusions:
I conclude that when you, the consumer, take the time and make the effort to purchase an American made product, you do much more than just snag a great product and a good value for yourself. That reason alone is really all the motivation a consumer needs.
Given what I'm witnessing, the dollars that consumers traded for U.S. made goods supported American workers & American manufacturers and enabled them to prosper. When able to expand, such companies will expand and deliver additional U.S. made goods to the marketplace providing consumers with greater variety and selection of Made in USA products.
Those consumers who shop for U.S. made product have actually invested in U.S. manufacturing. It appears that prudent and motivated consumers are a fine substitute for a negligent Wall Street.
Now consider Mr. Griggs, a motivated consumer who invested differently in the marketplace.
Mr. Griggs was a consumer with a need for a set of matching stainless flatware. He searched numerous big box stores and of course noticed the lack of a Made in USA option for flatware.
Mr. Griggs understands the same as I, that consumers can not be expected to find the value in the marketplace if a Made in USA option is not present.
The choice of one shoddy product from Country A and some other shoddy product from Country B is not a real choice. Where was the option for the consumer who is looking for quality and a fair trade for their money?
Mr. Griggs faced a lack of choice. He knew though what he wanted, what the marketplace needed and what consumers deserved. He spent about a year working on a solution to his problem and he now has his set of matching flatware. It is manufactured in Sherrill, New York. He's now in business selling Made in USA 18/10 & 18/8 stainless steel flatware in 9 tasteful patterns. I have no doubt this flatware will make it from one generation to the next.
Well done Mr. Griggs.
While the review continues I will of course be shopping. Epicurean is now manufacturing kitchen utensils & coasters, Okabashi is now manufacturing children's footwear and The Three Weavers are back in business.
American manufacturers seem intent on keeping me busy with updates to our site while tempting me with desirable product.
Good on 'em.
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
We've been conducting a full review of each department on our site. This presented the opportunity for me to visit some businesses I hadn't personally browsed in several months. I am the one who is most familiar with the inventory of all the companies we list.
I'm very pleased to share my observations and conclusions. Keep in mind this involves domestic consumer products and this is happening in a down economy at a time when banks aren't lending.
My observations:
We removed only one link to a site that appears to be offline. It's possible that one company ceased operations but we'll return in the future to see if a new site appears.
Many smaller companies have invested in their web sites and have redesigned them or added e-commerce. Some companies with attractive and well designed sites have further improved their web sites.
The updates of a number of web sites now permit them to search in our Marketplace search. Those sites have since been added and their products can now more easily be found via that feature on our site.
Many American manufacturers have expanded their lines. Some have even expanded their lines into other types of products suitable for listing in additional departments. My own company contributed a new product to the marketplace this year so we too are part of this trend.
There are several manufacturers who are having difficulty meeting demand. They are noting for their customers the expected future date when they can fill orders. (I'm wondering if those companies will soon hire.)
Many retail sites where a keyword such as "USA" was necessary is now unnecessary because those retailers have since added Made in USA departments to their sites.
We've recently added to our site two new online malls that are filled with U.S. made consumer goods.
We also came across several retailers suggesting to their visitors that purchases of Made in USA products be made early, prior to need because of increased demand for such goods. One retailer even described the increased demand as "extreme."
We check many things related to the sites we list, including their traffic. The trend is up for nearly all sites, including other directories, Blogs & resources. This indicates to us that there is definitely an increased interest & demand for U.S. made product.
There is willingness, even in a down economy, to manufacture in the U.S. and enter the marketplace. This is demonstrated to us by a growing number of new companies that we set aside for research & review prior to appearing on our site.
Overall I see progress, growth and expansion with the American manufacturers & selected retailers we list and I am heartened. I'm looking forward to a full review of the remaining departments.
My conclusions:
I conclude that when you, the consumer, take the time and make the effort to purchase an American made product, you do much more than just snag a great product and a good value for yourself. That reason alone is really all the motivation a consumer needs.
Given what I'm witnessing, the dollars that consumers traded for U.S. made goods supported American workers & American manufacturers and enabled them to prosper. When able to expand, such companies will expand and deliver additional U.S. made goods to the marketplace providing consumers with greater variety and selection of Made in USA products.
Those consumers who shop for U.S. made product have actually invested in U.S. manufacturing. It appears that prudent and motivated consumers are a fine substitute for a negligent Wall Street.
Now consider Mr. Griggs, a motivated consumer who invested differently in the marketplace.
Mr. Griggs was a consumer with a need for a set of matching stainless flatware. He searched numerous big box stores and of course noticed the lack of a Made in USA option for flatware.
Mr. Griggs understands the same as I, that consumers can not be expected to find the value in the marketplace if a Made in USA option is not present.
The choice of one shoddy product from Country A and some other shoddy product from Country B is not a real choice. Where was the option for the consumer who is looking for quality and a fair trade for their money?
Mr. Griggs faced a lack of choice. He knew though what he wanted, what the marketplace needed and what consumers deserved. He spent about a year working on a solution to his problem and he now has his set of matching flatware. It is manufactured in Sherrill, New York. He's now in business selling Made in USA 18/10 & 18/8 stainless steel flatware in 9 tasteful patterns. I have no doubt this flatware will make it from one generation to the next.
Well done Mr. Griggs.
While the review continues I will of course be shopping. Epicurean is now manufacturing kitchen utensils & coasters, Okabashi is now manufacturing children's footwear and The Three Weavers are back in business.
American manufacturers seem intent on keeping me busy with updates to our site while tempting me with desirable product.
Good on 'em.
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Power in the Marketplace
As a small business person, I get up early every morning, work all day long, most evenings and some weekends, all with the hope of earning some of your hard earned dollars.
Corporate manufacturers and large retailers are no different as they also hope to earn your money. After the toy recalls I noticed a change in the complexion of the toys offered by JCPenney. I noticed US made toys offered now at full price while imported versions were on sale. That large retailer quickly & wisely responded to consumer demand.
Believe me, if the consumer decided that desirable products should be adorned with - let’s say purple stars, then corporate manufacturers and small businesses like ours would be busy affixing purple stars on our products. I would likely be up even earlier in the day affixing the purple stars myself and get my product to market before the large corporations. My products are here already, while the corporations would be awaiting ships to reach a dock. Our pricing would be comparable and competitive mainly because small businesses tend to run efficiently without layers of bloated management. Products without purple stars would be on sale at JCPenney while products with purple stars would be offered at full price.
All of this fuss would have happened because consumers developed a penchant for products adorned with purple stars.
Yes, you have this much power in the marketplace.
Mary - web person for Find US Made.com
Corporate manufacturers and large retailers are no different as they also hope to earn your money. After the toy recalls I noticed a change in the complexion of the toys offered by JCPenney. I noticed US made toys offered now at full price while imported versions were on sale. That large retailer quickly & wisely responded to consumer demand.
Believe me, if the consumer decided that desirable products should be adorned with - let’s say purple stars, then corporate manufacturers and small businesses like ours would be busy affixing purple stars on our products. I would likely be up even earlier in the day affixing the purple stars myself and get my product to market before the large corporations. My products are here already, while the corporations would be awaiting ships to reach a dock. Our pricing would be comparable and competitive mainly because small businesses tend to run efficiently without layers of bloated management. Products without purple stars would be on sale at JCPenney while products with purple stars would be offered at full price.
All of this fuss would have happened because consumers developed a penchant for products adorned with purple stars.
Yes, you have this much power in the marketplace.
Mary - web person for Find US Made.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
