Our friends at the Manufacturing Extension Partnership introduced a new infographic that underscores the importance of manufacturing in our economy. This interactive visual highlights some fascinating facts about the impact of manufacturing. In addition, you can follow links to manufacturers throughout the country who participated in Manufacturing Day in October 2013.
American Manufacturing and Products
On November 19th, we celebrated the first annual American Made Matters Day with business colleagues and friends at a special event hosted by The Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce. Hearing the stories told by successful American manufacturing entrepreneurs was truly inspiring. It makes one feel that we can do this; we can get our economy out of this slump by purchasing things made in the USA.
Mark your calendars
On November 19th, 2013, we're encouraging consumers to buy at least one American-made product. In Pennsylvania, this day is now known as American Made Matters Day. It is the brainchild of the American Made Matters organization and their over 200 manufacturers and craftspeople. They want consumers to see how easy it is to buy American-made products and begin checking tags and looking for the American Made Matters logo when shopping this holiday season and throughout the year.
Pennsylvania has a long history of industrial and manufacturing firsts. Scranton, in the northeastern part of the state was the first city in America to be electrified. Titusville Pennsylvania was the birthplace of the oil industry. Iron production first began in this state in 1716 and within 100 years coal was fueling industrial growth.
American Manufacturing and Products
If recent headlines are any indication, business leaders and politicians alike are focused on the renewal of the manufacturing sector in the United States. The terms used to describe this resurgence include onshoring, reshoring and insourcing. Companies large and small are bringing their production back to America. After years of decline in these high wage jobs, it’s easy to see why people are getting excited.
While all companies should welcome this new patriotism, many manufacturers in this country never left our shores. These manufacturers have weathered wars, recessions, unfair trade practices as well as the invasion of cheap goods from China. And yet, they never wavered or considered taking their operations off-shore.
Each year, The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia recognizes local companies for their participation and dedication to bringing greater economic prosperity to the region. The 11th Annual World Trade Center’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony recognized three local companies. The 2013 Member Company of the Year from New Jersey was Epicore BioNetworks, Inc., a software solutions company. K’NEX Brands L.P. received the Member Company Award for Pennsylvania. Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands has become the world’s most innovative construction toy company. Over 95% of its parts are manufacturer by The Rodon Group, a sister company of K'NEX, and has manufactured over 31 billion parts for the K’NEX building toy system.
For years, The Rodon Group has supported STEM education. We know the importance of obtaining strong math and science skills throughout elementary and secondary education. Often described as "too hard", children need to be engaged and supported in the learning process by both teachers and parents. Math and science should be presented in creative and common sense ways to help spark and encourage curiosity. A well executed science experiment or a real life math problem can bring the "fun" back into the classroom.
American Manufacturing and Products
Article originally posted on www.toybook.com , May 14, 2013
By Howard N. Aronson, Managing Partner, Lackenbach Siegel LLP
Like the proverbial child who runs away from home only to return before nightfall, an American toymaker is bringing most of its manufacturing back to the U.S.—after more than a decade of outsourcing in Asia. The decision of K’NEX Brands, a family-owned maker of plastic building toys, to boost manufacturing at The Rodon Group, its Hatfield, Pa. plant, is only one example of a major trend. Persuasive factors leading to the ultimate decision included quality control, overall costs, timeliness of deliveries, and intellectual property issues. Many are following the lead of K’NEX and rediscovering that home sweet home is the best place to make and distribute products after all.
