More Made In USA policy following Olympic controversy
- Two weeks after Ralph Lauren’s public commitment, and in response to Capitol Hill pressures, the United States Olympic Committee announced new U.S. Olympic team uniform policy, formally adopting requirements from the Team USA Made in America Act created by Democratic Senators. The new policy requires all opening and closing ceremony uniforms to be made in America starting in 2014. More »
- U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has introduced the Wear American Act, which would require all government agencies to source 100% American-made when procuring textiles, textile components and apparel items. More »
Is the growth of U.S. manufacturing slowing down?
- American manufacturing unexpectedly contracted in July for the second month in a row, “reflecting a drop in orders at U.S. factories that threatens to undercut a mainstay of the recovery.” July’s Institute for Supply Management’s factory index was 49.8% (readings of less than 50 are associated with contraction in a given sector). More »
- Dean Baker (director of The Center for Economic and Policy Research) disagrees with such reports, indicating The Institute for Supply Management uses a broad index that doesn’t directly measure output. Instead, Baker references Federal Reserve Board data that shows an increase in factory output of 0.7% for June (July’s industrial production numbers aren’t available yet). More »
American manufacturing as a matter of national security
- A report co-authored by former homeland security secretary Tom Ridge claims an increasing reliance on imports, combined with a decaying national infrastructure (power grid, highways, rail lines), leaves the U.S. more vulnerable to the damage of natural disasters and terrorist attacks. It calls for “buy America” provisions for federal spending and greater enforcement of trade laws to support domestic manufacturers. More »
Big names and brands doing big American things
- Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia just launched “American Made”, a multimedia celebration of American artists, artisans and entrepreneurs (presented alongside sponsors Avery Dennison, Etsy and The UPS Store®). 10 rising stars, and a winner nominated by the public, will be honored guests at an event on Oct. 16 (which includes a pop-up experience at Grand Central Terminal in NYC) and featured in the Nov. issue of Martha Stewart Living. More »
- Jay-Z and Budweiser released a spot promoting their forthcoming Made In America Festival, set to take place across three stages on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Sat, Sept. 1 and Sun, Sept. 2. The event will feature 30 artists that “embody the American spirit,” including Jay-Z, Skrillex, Miike Snow, Calvis Harris, Rick Ross’, Pearl Jam, Drake, Chris Cornell and Run-DMC (reunion set style). More »
Ford makes American-made hybrid history and creates 225 news jobs
- The HF35 (to be found in the Fusion, C-MAX and Lincoln MKZ Hybrids) will be the first front-wheel drive hybrid transmission built in America. To accommodate this new component, Ford will put $220 million into its Van Dyke plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan (a North American hub for fuel-efficient components), with plans to add 225 new workers. More »
