Offshoring and the recession hit American furniture makers hard. But small businesses like the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibrshop.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Itsy Bitsy Ritzy Shop</a> are helping to keep alive the tradition of American craftsmanship by working with domestic manufacturing partners to build customized furniture.
Furniture —
Offshoring and the recession hit American furniture makers hard. But small businesses like the Itsy Bitsy Ritzy Shop are helping to keep alive the tradition of American craftsmanship by working with domestic manufacturing partners to build customized furniture.
Graham Friedman
The United States is <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fas.org%2Fsgp%2Fcrs%2Fmisc%2FR40967.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">one of the world's biggest producers (PDF) </a>of aircraft, aircraft engines and supply parts, though it relies heavily on international markets for their sales. Aerospace manufacturing is an important part of the U.S. manufacturing base, making up 2.8% of the nation's manufacturing work force in 2008 and employing more than 500,000 Americans in high-skilled and high-wage jobs. Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company, though parts of its Dreamliner (pictured) have been outsourced to a global supplier network.
Airplanes —
The United States is one of the world's biggest producers (PDF) of aircraft, aircraft engines and supply parts, though it relies heavily on international markets for their sales. Aerospace manufacturing is an important part of the U.S. manufacturing base, making up 2.8% of the nation's manufacturing work force in 2008 and employing more than 500,000 Americans in high-skilled and high-wage jobs. Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company, though parts of its Dreamliner (pictured) have been outsourced to a global supplier network.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
Not all toys are made in China. Several American toy companies produce a significant portion of their products in the United States, including Lionel trains.
Toys —
Not all toys are made in China. Several American toy companies produce a significant portion of their products in the United States, including Lionel trains.
Karl Gehring/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Concerns over <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fda.gov%2Fanimalveterinary%2Fsafetyhealth%2Frecallswithdrawals%2Fdefault.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">pet food contamination </a>are driving demand for pet food and supplies made closer to home, said Julie Reiser, co-founder of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Finfo.usa-c.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Made in USA Certified</a>, a third-party certification system that audits supply chains. "People care about their pets and want to make sure their food and toys are being produced under strict and safe regulations."
Pet supplies —
Concerns over pet food contamination are driving demand for pet food and supplies made closer to home, said Julie Reiser, co-founder of Made in USA Certified, a third-party certification system that audits supply chains. "People care about their pets and want to make sure their food and toys are being produced under strict and safe regulations."
West paw design/ap
Food might be obvious, but it still pays to check the label to see where it comes from. Fruits and vegetables are shipped from all over the world. Buying American produce contributes directly to American farmers.
Food —
Food might be obvious, but it still pays to check the label to see where it comes from. Fruits and vegetables are shipped from all over the world. Buying American produce contributes directly to American farmers.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
American spirits are also making a comeback thanks to <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slate.com%2Farticles%2Flife%2Fdrink%2F2013%2F06%2Fcraft_whiskey_vs_jim_beam_smaller_distilleries_aren_t_necessarily_better.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">growing interest in moonshine, craft whiskey </a>and micro-distilleries.
Spirits —
American spirits are also making a comeback thanks to growing interest in moonshine, craft whiskey and micro-distilleries.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages
Check the label: Toiletries and personal hygiene products made in the United States are easy to come by thanks to big companies like Colgate-Palmolive, which owns numerous brands, including <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomsofmaine.com%2Fpress%2Freleases%2Fdetail%2Fcolgate-purchasing-toms-of-maine" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tom's of Maine</a>.
Toiletries —
Check the label: Toiletries and personal hygiene products made in the United States are easy to come by thanks to big companies like Colgate-Palmolive, which owns numerous brands, including Tom's of Maine.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
American-made dishwashing liquid and detergents also have a large footprint thanks to Colgate-Palmolive.
Cleaning supplies —
American-made dishwashing liquid and detergents also have a large footprint thanks to Colgate-Palmolive.
Ramin Talaie/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Retailers tend to source heavy and highly regulated products like mattresses from the United States to keep shipping costs down, said Gardner Carrick of the Manufacturing Institute.
Mattresses —
Retailers tend to source heavy and highly regulated products like mattresses from the United States to keep shipping costs down, said Gardner Carrick of the Manufacturing Institute.
Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images
A surprising amount of American companies are dedicated to making socks, including <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wigwam.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Wigwam Mills</a>, which has been in production in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, for more than 100 years.
Socks —
A surprising amount of American companies are dedicated to making socks, including Wigwam Mills, which has been in production in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, for more than 100 years.
Rick Woods/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/AP
America's love affair with home building and interior design has created a robust market for paint, varnish and lacquer. Sherwin-Williams is the largest producer of paints and coatings in the United States and is among the largest producers in the world.
Paint —
America's love affair with home building and interior design has created a robust market for paint, varnish and lacquer. Sherwin-Williams is the largest producer of paints and coatings in the United States and is among the largest producers in the world.
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Clothing tends to get most of the attention even though it accounts for just a fraction of American manufacturing jobs and output. Contrary to common perception, American-made clothing is available in a wide range of prices. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allamericanclothing.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">All American Clothing </a>makes jeans, shirts and accessories for men and women available from $20 to $70.
Apparel —
Clothing tends to get most of the attention even though it accounts for just a fraction of American manufacturing jobs and output. Contrary to common perception, American-made clothing is available in a wide range of prices. All American Clothing makes jeans, shirts and accessories for men and women available from $20 to $70.
Courtesy All American Clothing