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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Why Buy American Made?

If you're an American, there are many reasons to buy products made in your own country.

If this country is going to get back to the self-sufficient land we all knew long ago, then Americans need to step up and support American industry. It's as simple as that. Buying cheap things made in China does not give me pride of ownership. Does it you? We can't afford to lose the skills and technology that have made our country what it is.

We should buy American-made because:

1) Saves or create jobs for American citizens so they can support their families and the U.S. economy.
2) The money made by American companies stays in America, thereby supporting our economy at home.
3) Products made in American are held to safety standards not found in other countries so the products you buy are safer and usually more reliable.
4) Saves on energy. Products made in other countries must be imported on cargo ships. These ships travel thousands of miles using thousands of gallons of fuel.
5) Makes our country more self-sufficient. We need to maintain our manufacturing abilities and technology so we aren't dependent on foreign countries for everything.
6) Gives us pride in ownership.

These are just a handful of reasons to buy American-made products. Can you think of others?

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Epicurean® Cutting Boards


Epicurean's products are long-lasting and eco-friendly!

Epicurean® is an American-based company, headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, that makes a variety of eco-friendly cutting boards.

Epicurean’s cutting boards and the material used to make them are exclusively manufactured in the United States of America. This saves on shipping costs, helps maintain the U.S. economy, ensures compliance with U.S. labor and business practices, and reduces pollution. Even the trees used to make the material are harvested from certified, managed forests in North America.

Epicurean says it understands the relationship between the products they manufacture and the environment we all live in. The company is dedicated to creating long-lasting products that are manufactured with sustainable manufacturing practices and made from sustainable materials.

All cutting surfaces are made with eco select paper from trees harvested under guidelines of the North America Sustainable Forestry Standards. 60% of the energy used to produce the raw material is from renewable energy.

NEWS FLASH: The company just introduced a new line of Recycled Cardboard composites cutting boards. These surfaces, made with recycled cardboard, boast all of the features of other Epicurean® products including stain and heat resistance, knife kindliness, and dishwasher safety. The Recycled Cardboard surfaces feature a new design with a squared silhouette.

For more information on Epicurean products click on the title in this post or go to www.epicureancs.com/#welcome.php.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Portrait of an American Factory Worker

If she didn't have her factory job, she doesn't know what she would do for a living.

When you buy American-made products, you not only support the American economy, you help millions of factory workers across the country. These people depend on their jobs for money to buy food and shelter, to help raise their families and as a way to get affordable medical benefits.

Fifty-three-year-old Patty Nerad is one of those workers.

Patty has worked at her factory job in Sedalia, MO, for almost 20 years. Because of her steady job and reliable paycheck, the divorced mother of two was able to raise her children on her own, purchase a small house and live a simple, but comfortable life.

A typical workday for Patty begins by getting up at 2:30 a.m., then driving 45 minutes to be at work at 4 a.m., putting in a 10-hour day and driving 45 minutes home. Not a life many people would envy or respect, but it's one Patty has grown accustomed to. If she didn't have her job, she doesn't know what she would do for a living, especially at her age in the small community where she lives. (In her younger years, she dreamed of being a cosmetologist.)

"I live a simple life," Patty says. "I don't ask for much and just hope I can pay for what I need. And I try to keep my needs small."

Patty's attitude about life is one of thankfulness and appreciation for what she does have. This year she is happy to be able to buy Christmas gifts for her two grandsons.

"Life is about the here and now. I just think of today and when it's done, then I go onto another day," she says. "And I feel lucky for having that."

It is for Patty and others like her that I am maintaining this blog. We must support our American brothers and sisters who work diligently in our factories by buying the quality products they make.

We can make American stronger one purchase at a time.

Let's also remember to support our American car makers -- GM, Chrysler, Ford. Keep Detroit and other areas across our nation going strong.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Anchor Hocking Glassware


Anchor Hocking has manufactured high quality glassware in the USA for more than 100 years!

Founded in 1905, Anchor Hocking is a leading manufacturer of glass products including beverage ware, candle containers, serving ware, oven ware, storage ware, and lighting components. You've probably seen and used their products at sometime in your life. They usually carry the little anchor logo. The company is the second largest supplier of glassware in the United States.

The company, which manufactures a majority of its products in Lancaster, Ohio, has made a corporate-wide commitment to being more environmentally friendly by:

• Reclaiming on average 25% of waste glass to reuse in their furnaces. That means fewer raw materials, less energy and less landfill waste.

• Making changes in the design of their packaging to reduce environmental footprints.

• Working with core suppliers to reduce waste and consider environmentally friendly alternatives.

• Making glassware that does not contain lead or any other materials that are harmful to health.

For more information about Anchor Hocking products and green initiatives, visit www.anchorhocking.com.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

When you have a choice, Buy American

Over the last year, more than 1 million manufacturing jobs have been lost in the United States. We now import more products from Asia and other countries than ever in our history. These foreign-made products are not always constructed with safety or longevity in mind. Many of them are junk that ends up in our landfills, further destroying our earth and our country.

It's time we took back our country and became more self-reliant and self-sufficient. The best way to do this is for Americans to make an effort to buy American-made products. There are many companies still thriving in this country and others barely surviving, and they need all the business they can get. Though their products may cost a little more (but not always), the money stays in the United States and doesn't go overseas. In the long-run, this benefits all Americans.

Each week, or as the need arises, I will feature and discuss one American manufacturer and the company's products and various related topics in this blog. If you know of a good American-made product/company you'd like to see featured, please let me know.