What is manufactured in the US?

[Lisa_M]

Our Pontiac Vibe was manufactured in California. Our Town & Country van was made in Canada. When we went car shopping, I would only consider US companies and made in US or Canada vehicles.

As far as general products go, all of my daughter's cloth diapers (except the indian prefolds) are made in the USA and most are from work at home mom's and are made beautifully.

There's a small shop in Navarre, OH Anderson soaps, I try to buy soap there when I'm visiting IL's.

I try to buy handmade in the USA when possible, it supports a small business and I know that the products are most likely safe. I also try to support small shops. They don't always sell made in the usa items, but most of the time, they have something in there that is, unlike Walmart.

hmm, let me think what else....GK and some Adidas gymnastics/skating leotards are made in Reading, PA. Beautiful stuff, no sweatshop!

 

[wdwmaw]

I understand and that makes sense.
But there's much more to this issue.

And think about DHL, the shipping company that was competition for UPS. It's a German company that decided recently to cut all its business from the United States. Thousands were left unemployed, a town in Ohio or Kentucky (?) were totally wiped out since that was their HQ in America. And DHL did NOT go out of business in Germany or other countries, just the USA when Germany decided they didn't need our country anymore!

So what happens if / when companies like Toyota or the like decide to cut ties to America?

At least the Big 3 USA Automakers are fighting for their lives, and the lives of their employees AND the millions of other Americans who WILL be effected if they go out of business.

This is where we have to be very carefull. Remember GM's biggest business right now is in China. Toyota's biggest business is in USA. There was a report put out here in the local papers about a year ago and it supported in Toyota and it's Made In America support. Toyota beat the big 3 hands down to Made in America, here is Georgetown about 90% of the car produced is made in USA, the GM numbers were about 60%. About 5 years ago a local factory supplied the seats for Ford, Gm, and Toyota. Today, they only build for Ford and Toyota, GM pulled its business and moved south of the border cutting about 1/4 of the jobs. Chrysler is joining with Fiat (French comp.), does that make them French, no the people building the cars here are Americans even though some of the revenue will be going back to France and Germany for they are now owned by a German parent comp.

My DH worked for UPS for 11 years and DHL is no comparison. DHL never took off in marketshare with comp. like UPS, Fed-Ex, and even the USPS all lead in the industry. They put all there bucks on parcels when the explosion was in bulk and tried several busisness ideas to turn there numbers around and they just could not. Toyota has moved to #1 in sales in US for first time this year becoming the #1 of the big 3. They have 13 plants in North America directly employing 43,000 team members. I do believe the jobs in the other auto makers can be saved if they would just adapt business stratagy.The President of Toyota comes to town and he drives around in a camry and flys coach.He walks around in the plant and talks to team members and visits schools and reads to the kids.

Georgetown is cutting back but for now my DH and other team members have not been cut jobs. The top management took a 30% pay cut and others in management were cut 5-7%. All special gatherings have been cancelled (except employee car giveaways).I don't think GM's exec have taken a pay cut like that and if they would then I would say they are fighting for there employees lives.

In todays world we need to support any company that brings industry to the US and hires its people. Michigan is running a comerical that they have brought a huge British company to there state hiring many and developing its industry. Those people are American they have hired, but they are a British comp.

I say if it is made here, by Americans, we need to support that and hope that these comp. expand and move more business here. If your car says it was made in Japan then by all means don't support that, support Americans

Sorry so long

 

[wright1baby]

This is where we have to be very carefull. Remember GM's biggest business right now is in China. Toyota's biggest business is in USA. There was a report put out here in the local papers about a year ago and it supported in Toyota and it's Made In America support. Toyota beat the big 3 hands down to Made in America, here is Georgetown about 90% of the car produced is made in USA, the GM numbers were about 60%. About 5 years ago a local factory supplied the seats for Ford, Gm, and Toyota. Today, they only build for Ford and Toyota, GM pulled its business and moved south of the border cutting about 1/4 of the jobs. Chrysler is joining with Fiat (French comp.), does that make them French, no the people building the cars here are Americans even though some of the revenue will be going back to France and Germany for they are now owned by a German parent comp.

My DH worked for UPS for 11 years and DHL is no comparison. DHL never took off in marketshare with comp. like UPS, Fed-Ex, and even the USPS all lead in the industry. They put all there bucks on parcels when the explosion was in bulk and tried several busisness ideas to turn there numbers around and they just could not. Toyota has moved to #1 in sales in US for first time this year becoming the #1 of the big 3. They have 13 plants in North America directly employing 43,000 team members. I do believe the jobs in the other auto makers can be saved if they would just adapt business stratagy.The President of Toyota comes to town and he drives around in a camry and flys coach.He walks around in the plant and talks to team members and visits schools and reads to the kids.

Georgetown is cutting back but for now my DH and other team members have not been cut jobs. The top management took a 30% pay cut and others in management were cut 5-7%. All special gatherings have been cancelled (except employee car giveaways).I don't think GM's exec have taken a pay cut like that and if they would then I would say they are fighting for there employees lives.

In todays world we need to support any company that brings industry to the US and hires its people. Michigan is running a comerical that they have brought a huge British company to there state hiring many and developing its industry. Those people are American they have hired, but they are a British comp.

I say if it is made here, by Americans, we need to support that and hope that these comp. expand and move more business here. If your car says it was made in Japan then by all means don't support that, support Americans

Sorry so long

Wow...I could have never said it that well. Thanks!

 

[wdwmaw]

I got this from the Boston Globe to add to the Made In America car debate...

``I'm a union worker, so I stick with American vehicles," said Tom Wolfgram, an operating engineer from Lake Villa, Ill., who recently bought a Chevrolet TrailBlazer. ``I want the money to stay here and be spent here so it creates even more jobs."

Cuneo, however, says the bulk of Toyota's profit stays in the United States to invest in new plants and equipment.

Some analysts say as much as 60 percent of Toyota's operating profit and 70 percent of Honda's are derived from North American sales.

Healy estimates that $30 billion of Toyota's $68 billion in North American sales last year were from U S - and Canadian-made vehicles. Moreover, as a ``rough estimate," he says Toyota earned a profit of $2.4 billion in North America last year and spent the same amount on new plants, products, and other investments.

``When they say they're an American company, they aren't lying," he said.

Additionally, the logic of buying a Ford or GM product because its profits stay in the United States isn't necessarily accurate. Because both are global companies, at any one point profits made from domestic sales could be invested in plants abroad.

As for Chrysler Group, it's based in Auburn Hills, Mich., but its DaimlerChrysler parent is based in Stuttgart, Germany, further complicating labels.

For example, a seemingly red, white, and blue vehicle such as the Ford Mustang has 65 percent domestic content, and the Chevy Suburban 67 percent. For GM and Ford, the domestic parts content is 73 percent, and for DaimlerChrysler, it's 72.The Ford Five Hundred built in Chicago. Indeed, using the government's standards,has 80 percent domestic parts.


But in the age of globalization, when parts and vehicles can come from anywhere, a Toyota Camry can be more American than a Ford Mustang, and a Honda Pilot can have more U S -made components than a Chevrolet Suburban.

 

[autumnsmommy]

Another fan of Fiesta Ware here, too.

 

[jlima]

Just bought a GM vehicle! Considered foreign, but my loyalties are to the US and ended up with a Yukon. I really try to buy American as much as possible.
One thing I noticed is that seafood from America is hard to find in the supermarket. Some have American names, but if you read the fine print it is from China! Who knew "Bernard's" crawfish was from China??!!!

Look for shrimp labeled "wild caught" and READ THE LABEL. American seafood is there; you just have to look a little harder for it.

 

[NMW]

I try to buy crab from alaska. DD and I are huge fans of "Deadliest Catch." I also buy fresh fish and shrimp when I can.

Nice to read the stuff about Toyota. I can't wait to buy a new one in June! I love those cars!

 

[kesha]

Kesha,

I own some Nordicware cookie sheets and they are made in the U.S.

Thank You! Do you know who sells them?

 

[disneyorvegas]

I am trying to think of regional things. Wood carvings or instruments from Appalachia. Pottery and blankets from New Mexico or North Dakota (American Indians.) Voodoo items, pralines, beignet mix, chicory coffee, etc. from New Orleans. Original drawings/paintings from street vendors in NY. Tex-mex mixes, cowboy boots, lassos and hats from Texas. Photography from the national parks (local artists.) Lots of candy is still made in the USA (Jelly Bellies, Dum-Dums, Reecees, Hershys, Red Hots, etc.)

Disney could do it and support many small companies and artists if they wanted to!

I REALLY like this idea!!!!

 

[JB2K]

As for Chrysler Group, it's based in Auburn Hills, Mich., but its DaimlerChrysler parent is based in Stuttgart, Germany, further complicating labels.

Not exactly -- Dr. Z. and the rest of Diamler jettisoned the Chrysler half of its' operations, last year (the company we grew-up with is now known as Chrysler, LLC)

 

[vicb]

Food for thought... two articles that might make you think twice before you buy your next car....

"On September 19, 2001, the Global economy came to a screeching halt as fast as the towers collapsed. GM immedietely saw the problem and single handedly announced its program called “Keep America Rolling,” which provided 0% financing on cars and trucks for 36 months. Then-GM president for North American Operations Ron Zarrella said, “Throughout its history the automotive industry has played a leadership role in our economic strength. This program is in part in response to the Administration’s request to American business to support and aid nationwide efforts focused on economic recovery.”

He acknowledged, “We know this is a difficult time to talk about an incentive program, but GM has a responsibility to help stimulate the economy.” And GM stepped up to it.

just like that its Detroit sisters followed suit and cranked it up and got America going again. They unleashed their economic might and untold credit taking no profits into the market place and within weeks the rest of the economy took flight. Not a single foreign manufacturer participated, and within a quarter we were out of the Osama depression.

In addition Detroit 3 gave millions to the New York recovery effort; the same cannot be said of foreign manufacturer. The question begs to be asked, what the politicians will do when Detroit sinks to jump start this economy?
Will Americans come through and protect Detroit in its hour of need?"



"Remember Katrina, Senators
December 11, 2008

Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh reminds senators from the Gulf States, many of whom oppose the loans to Detroit automakers, to recall Hurricane Katrina as they cast their votes on the bailout bill tonight.

"When Hurricane Katrina slammed into Louisiana and Alabama on Aug. 29, 2005, the automobile companies of Detroit did not harrumph that the Gulf Coast should have been better prepared. They didn't sit back and wait for New Orleans to submit a detailed plan for future repair of the ruptured levees," Walsh wrote in Thursday's edition.

His column points out that:

General Motors, on Aug. 30 donated $400,000 to the American Red Cross 2005 Relief Fund, pledged to match up to $250,000 more in employee contributions and sent more than 150 vehicles to the stricken area for use in relief work.

Ford and the UAW immediately made a joint donation of $100,000 to the Red Cross. The Chrysler Group gave $150,000 to the Red Cross and $200,000 to local New Orleans charities; DaimlerChrysler Services chipped in $200,000 for the Red Cross and pledged to match employee donations up to $50,000.

In total, he notes, the three Detroit auto companies gave more than $18 million in cash and vehicles to the Katrina relief effort in the ensuing months. "No strings attached.""

I know this is a really long post and if you actually read through to the bottom I just wanted to say "thanks".

 

[3boymthr]

This thread has devolved into a debate about car manufaturers, but really it's about what's made in the US. Not about which manufacturers are better or are owned where ever. Toyota's are made in the US as are Hondas, etc.

That said, we own Fords. And my parents and ILs own Chevy's Buicks and Dodges.

Back to other things that are made in the USA. DH buys Diamond Gusset Jeans which are made here in the U.S. Very nice quality.

We try to avoid made in china whereever possible because we feel we are then supporting a political infrastructure that is the exact opposite of all America's constitution stands for. We try to buy US or Canada made when we can. If we can't we buy American we strive for European or Austrailian or Central America. While we do our best to avoid chinese made items, it has become extremely difficult to do this because most toys are made in china.

Given all the problems that have arisen with Chinese made products it's very frightening to me that they are shifting manufacture of American foods to china. (Actually we have a friend who works in food manufacturing and services these plants all over the world. The tales he tells of things that go on overseas. )

 

[PADISFAM]

Yankee Candles (the jar ones) are made in the US.

& if you lift the lid & see the plastic ring on the lid make sure that part says 'made in the USA' as well--not all of them have that. Those plastic parts are made in my town.

All "heavy grade" consumer plastics (i.e., Rubbermaid, Little Tikes, and Step 2) are all USA-made.

Otherwise, as much as some don't want to believe it -- during our generation, we have shifted from a manufacturing workforce to a service workforce.

Plastics is a huge industry (about the only one left) where I live...........

 

[rparmfamily]

I think on the Little Tikes website it tells about how their stuff is Made in the USA or lets you pick items that are USA made. I thought that was neat!

 

[rockin_rep]

As for Chrysler Group, it's based in Auburn Hills, Mich., but its DaimlerChrysler parent is based in Stuttgart, Germany, further complicating labels.

Not exactly -- Dr. Z. and the rest of Diamler jettisoned the Chrysler half of its' operations, last year (the company we grew-up with is now known as Chrysler, LLC)

Yes, i just heard the end of a news report on tv about Chrysler! They too were saying a little of a year ago it being an American company again.

Its heartening to hear so many people trying to buy American, as difficult as it may be.

Anyone have a USA Flag icon? I'd insert it here!

 

[Foogahzee]

I might have missed it, but may I submit:

Jack Daniels
Makers Mark
And let's not forget anything out of Napa

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Our Pontiac Vibe was manufactured in California.

How do you feel about the fact that your Pontiac Vibe is built on a Toyota Corolla frame and is the exact same vehicle as the Toyota Matrix built in a factory producing mostly Toyota products?

 

[Sweety_tweety]

I purchased a SUNsations dish detergent at the Dollar Store, to my surprise it is produced in the US by Hush Detergents, Salt Lake City, UT. It works and smells great!

Has anyone actually found New Balance sneakers that actually say they are "Made in the USA"? I have been to three stores and checked numerous styles, but they are all Made in China. This is very disappointing to know they have manufacturing facilities here in the US, but the only sneakers I found were made in China. I think it is great they have manufacturing sites her in the US, but what is the point if they don't supply the stores with the shoes made in the US.

One of the previous posts also mentioned seafood. This made me think of an incident at a local restaurant last year. We live in Delaware and LOVE Maryland Crab. The restaurant was featuring fettuccine alfredo with crab. I asked the waitress if they used Maryland Crab. She said "Oh, definitely, we only use the freshest ingredients, but I will check with the chef." She returned to tell me the crab was from Indonesia! Needless to say, I passed on the crab.

I am also disappointed to hear the Hershey has closed a plant in Pennsylvania and moved the production to Mexico.

Buy American!

 

[twinklebug]

I got this from the Boston Globe to add to the Made In America car debate...

...
But in the age of globalization, when parts and vehicles can come from anywhere, a Toyota Camry can be more American than a Ford Mustang, and a Honda Pilot can have more U S -made components than a Chevrolet Suburban.

Yea! I bought American (Actually, I did my research and knew this before even considering any foreign cars as I was a die-hard American built car fanatic for 20 years.)

What's killing me is that the American government should reward businesses for keeping Americans employed. Too many jobs are being shipped overseas. I see entire groups being shut down quarterly in my industry as the overseas counterparts are picking up the work. And the kicker... the company doesn't save any money in the long run due to the fact that the overseas skills & training are spotty, it takes a team of 3 of their folk the same amount of time it takes one of us to do the same job (then add on our time as we end up fixing their work anyway), higher communications costs, transportation of their teams to the US for training and a month of room & board during that training, legal costs as some of our bigger clients don't want their data touched by off shore groups and will fight the change ...

If the companies won't smarten up and keep jobs here, I wish our government would get smart and do something to help.

 

[Sweety_tweety]

Yea! I bought American (Actually, I did my research and knew this before even considering any foreign cars as I was a die-hard American built car fanatic for 20 years.)

What's killing me is that the government should reward businesses for keeping Americans employed. Too many jobs are being shipped overseas. I see entire groups being shut down quarterly in my industry as the overseas counterparts are picking up the work. And the kicker... the company doesn't save any money in the long run due to the fact that the skills & training are spotty, it takes a team of 3 of their folk the same amt of time it takes one of us (then add on our time as we end up fixing it anyway), communications, transportation of their teams to the US for training a month at a time ...

If the companies won't smarten up and keep jobs here, I wish our government would get smart and do something to help.

You are so RIGHT! About a year ago, there was a special on Dateline or 20/20 that talked about incentives given to US Corporations that off-shore their work. I don't know why this is brushed under the carpet. Obama should immediately pull the plug on these incentives. I would love to know exactly who implemented these incentives.