April 27/May 4, 2015; Volume 29/Number 2
By Ken Ryan
“Made in the USA” and “buy American” are more than just catchy slogans advanced by Madison Avenue to sell more domestically manufactured products. The fact is there are many reasons why buying American products is the right thing to do.
1. Sustainability
There is a sustainability benefit that comes from local sourcing of raw materials and a more environmentally friendly transportation footprint. Also, with labor, energy and transportation costs accelerating at a faster pace than exchange rates and import fees, it is becoming more cost effective in some categories to produce in the U.S. for domestic consumption.
2. Safety standards
Foreign product safety standards are sometimes low. Before there was Lumber Liquidators and Chinese laminate with high levels of formaldehyde, there was toxic drywall, lead paint in Barbie dolls and tainted pet food. When dealers and consumers buy flooring Made in the USA, they can be confident that American consumer protection laws and safety standards are in place.
3. Wages
Many countries have no minimum wage restrictions, or the minimum wage is outrageously low. When choosing products Made in the USA, consumers contribute to the payment of an honest day’s wages for an honest day’s work.
4. Working conditions
Foreign labor standards allow unsafe worker conditions in many countries. When customers buy American they support not only American manufacturers but also American workers, safe working conditions and child labor laws.
5. Environment
U.S. manufacturing processes are cleaner for the environment than many other countries; oftentimes brands sold here are produced in countries using dangerous, polluting processes. When consumers purchase an American-made product, they help keep the world a little cleaner.