Made in America is a claim that not many companies can make these days. There's no doubt it's cheaper to manufacture overseas, and we believe the cost of that low price is enormous.
Manufacturing in the U.S. is pretty damn important to us, and we think everyone should care where their goods are made, just as much as how they're made, what they're made of, how the makers are treated and how they travel around the world. Here's a few reasons why we are proud to manufacture our product right here in Vermont, USA.
1. LOCAL COMMUNITIES
2. THE ECONOMY
3. THE ENVIRONMENT
Manufacturing in in Randolph, Vermont creates jobs in Randolph, Vermont. It also creates jobs for people in the towns where our materials and components are manufactured. When people have jobs that are well paid and provide purpose and community, people are more satisfied and fulfilled.
With the majority of our supply chain within the U.S., we are supporting other American companies who employ Americans in their communities. Vibrant businesses are able to invest locally in myriad ways, to create vibrant communities across the country.
There are tremendous hidden costs of cheap manufacturing overseas. Inhumane work conditions, toxic work environments, and poisonous processes. The U.S. has strict labor laws that ensure, as a baseline, that workers are treated with dignity, respect and offered a safe work environment.
You can't magic a truckload of gloves from China to Vermont. There is a huge carbon footprint that comes from shipping material and product all over the world. Similar to work conditions, environmental regulations are variable and often very lax in countries where manufacturing is cheap, leading to tremendous greenhouse gas emissions and environmental destruction. The U.S. has much more strict environmental regulations.
Our supply chain is almost entirely domestic, and mostly in the larger in the greater New England area. Shorter chains are less subject to disruption for any reason, including global environmental and political events. Shorter chains also allow quicker and more efficient production, allowing for faster innovation and pivoting when necessary.
Our design headquarters are in the same building as our marketing and our manufacturing headquarters. We have complete transparency and oversight to our quality. When manufacturing overseas, one is halfway across the world and has limited insight into what's actually going on in the manufacturing process.
The FTC does not regulate the 'Made In USA' claim. It is a recommendation that manufacturers decide whether to use or not. Further, a product can be 'Made In USA' if it is 'virtually all' made here, AND a product can use the claim if it is assembled in the US with imported materials.