Made in America

Made in America

Why is it that so many consumer products aren’t made in America? Is it important to buy American made?

From international supply chain issues to rising prices many Americans are beginning to ask themselves questions regarding the origins of the items they purchase. It’s easy to shrug it off and say “that’s just the way it is.” But some companies don’t feel that way. The small Utah business called Rogue White & Blue doesn’t accept the notion that making products in the U.S. can’t be done.

Not Made in America

Coming out of the Second World War the U.S. was a manufacturing powerhouse. There wasn’t even a close contender on the global stage. Post war reconstruction efforts, funded by America through major economic assistance in Japan & Europe (The Marshall Plan), led to a manufacturing boom in the two war battered regions.

Exponential growth in German/Japanese production naturally led to more efficient manufacturing processes. These innovations incentivized many U.S. companies to outsource production while shifting their business approach to research and development. Creating novel technologies that were mostly built in Japan throughout the 70’s & 80’s became the new trend for American businesses. China then stepped in and added gasoline to the manufacturing fire of American outsourcing. Lesser costs, lack of regulatory compliance, and an abundance of low wage workers have rapidly elevated China to the top of the production food chain today.

The problem

So what’s the issue with outsourcing all of our production? – Supporting unethical working conditions in foreign factories is a human rights issue that Americans need to come to terms with. The decline in American job opportunity is also a growing problem across the country.

Beyond those ramifications, there is a National security component of loosing this once domestic-level line of work. Relying primarily on imported goods can greatly damage our supply chain in the event of political conflict and in turn negatively affect our country’s readiness to defend itself.

The Return of Made in America

Hope is far from lost in regards to a production revival for America. Currently, the U.S. is second only to China in global manufacturing output.

Politics + supply and demand are downstream from culture. As a country we need to begin putting pressure on the free market to supply American made goods. We can start doing this right now by looking for U.S. made options when we buy (especially household items, toys, clothing, recreation equipment, construction materials).

On top of this we must put leaders into government positions that are willing to incentivize companies to bring jobs back home. America must favor trade relationships with Countries that share our democratic values over Nations that oppress their own people and aggressively posture against the United States.

If we act now, The United States of American can become the worlds factory once again.

James Kent

Rogue White & Blue owner

I’m not going to do the whole third person bio thing – As a patriotic outdoorsman, I love America and it’s wild places. I grew up in Oregon and moved to Utah in 2009 to get my bachelors degrees in Psychology. I’m an infantryman in the Army National Guard and like to backpack. When I’m not creating American made products for my small business you’ll find me weaving through a canyon or scrambling up a ridge line.

Thanks for reading!

James

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