On April 6th I had the opportunity to hear President Obama speak at a town hall meeting hosted by Gamesa Corporation at their Fairless Hills, PA manufacturing facility. Gamesa is a manufacturing company, which manufactures wind turbines and constructs wind farms. President Obama visited Gamesa to highlight his goal that 80 percent of the nation’s energy comes from clean sources by 2035. While the President spoke about several topics I heard some interesting words that I don’t hear very often. The words should be encouraging for those of us who manufacture products in America. President Obama talked about how America needs to be manufacturing more products to sell to the rest of the world.
Domestic manufacturing is crucial for America’s economic future
I usually don’t hear how important manufacturing is to our Country’s prosperity. I often hear people talk about American manufacturing in the past tense – as if it was history. I don’t have all of the answers to improve America’s future, but I do know that if you want to be an independent and secure country then a minimum requirement is that you need to be able manufacture the goods you need, or else become reliant upon other countries for goods and services. To hear the President elevate American manufacturing is definitely beneficial for U.S. woodworkers. I also know that manufacturers do need more than positive words; what we need are policies that don’t hinder American companies, especially small businesses. Now we can start looking for supportive legislation to match those statements.
Made in America – not too hard to find, and not necessarily more expensive
President Obama isn’t the only person bringing attention to American-made products. Diane Sawyer of ABC World News recently produced a series, “Made In America – Where Do Your Goods Come From?”, in which the entire content of one American family’s home was examined to determine the country of origin. Any item not made in America was removed from the home and replaced with an American-made product. The family was surprised that many of their belongings weren’t made in the U.S.A.
Diane Sawyer took the next step to show the average American that it isn’t impossible to buy domestic goods by idenitfying substitute American-made products for everything in the family’s home that came from overseas. The series also debunked the myth that American made products cost more money. Made In America definitely has people taking a closer look at the origin of their purchased products.
Leverage the support as a means of promoting your woodworking business
So what is my point? Right now you have other people, like President Obama and Diane Sawyer, helping to promote our American made wooden products. We can help ourselves by leveraging this support by promoting our products as being made locally and made in America.
• State the benefits: Take every opportunity to highlight the benefits of buying locally made American-made products.
• Seize the Moment: It is not every day that the President promotes US manufacturing or a major news reporter runs a special series on American manufacturing, but right now we have these major figures and others helping us to repeat this message.
• Drive it home: Marketing is about repetition and always being out in front of your clients. Now, it is up to each of us to help reinforce this message to each of our clients. The high level focus on buying American made goods is an opportunity that has been presented to us; let’s leverage this opportunity to its fullest potential.
Patrick Kennedy of Superior Woodcraft is a CutomMade.com affiliated maker and a frequent contributor to the Pro Shop blog. He is interested in hearing how you are promoting your American-made products. If you would like to contribute articles on the business of woodworking, effective marketing, and tips on transitioning to a professional woodworking career simply comment on this post!
Comments
If things continue the way they are we will be a society that makes nothing. At that point we will be at the mercy of the rest of the world. Ther will be no meaningful jobs and no middle class. One thing we can do right now is to have a higher regard for Technical High Schools. If we fund and promote them properly we will be able to have a trained workforce that will help us to manufacture locally. With growth in local manufacturing it will grow the economy, tax base and quality job base. There is no downside. For way too long Technical High School education has taken a back seat to all other schools.
Pinewoody - I'm in full agreement with you on supporting the Technical High Schools. These programs are often overlooked, but are very important. There is something that we can do about that. Contact your local Technical High School and ask how you can help them. Here are some things my company has been involved with at one of our local technical high schools - advisory counsel, hirer co-op students, judge tests/contests, mock interviews and more. We helped arrange for a trade association (NARI) to hold their annual enducation day at our local technical school. This event involved the faculty and students as well as trade professionals. Just ask your local Technical High how you can help. They will appreciate your assistance. You can make a difference.
If you are a teacher or Administrator at a Technical High School please leave a comment informing us as to how we can help you succeed in your mission.
Great post Patrick. Here is an interesting new campaign from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers that we think is worth a look:
http://www.imakeamerica.com
Thanks for sharing the I Make America campaign site, Bill - great example of a grassroots campaign for makers.
Does anyone have any similar local campaign sites to share, or additional info on political mobilization and representation for woodworkers and builders?
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