USA. USA.

We probably buy a lot more domestically produced products than we realize – due to the incredible growth of entrepreneurial small businesses and some that were encouraged to come back from overseas. And Americans are quite prideful in our own products, it turns out. In 2017, according to a survey by Ipsos and Reuters, 70% of Americans responded that they thought it was both “very important” and “somewhat important” to buy US-made goods.

There are numerous benefits for your clients to purchase US-made promotional products. According to Missy Kilpatrick, vice president of new business development, The Book Company, selling products that are American-made provides distributors' clients the opportunity to support the American economy and workforce.  “American-based companies are often searching for USA-made products to help promote their own message of believing in America and reinforcing the advantages of American-made,” she notes.

Gwen Brey of Beacon Promotions has noticed that US-made products are requested more often in an election year and for unions.  “With the current trade war going on, you don’t need to worry about the additional tariffs.  US made products also have a shorter lead time, since you don’t have the shipping time across the ocean,” she adds.

Stan W. A. Dohan, MAS, MASI, president, The Allen Company agrees, noting that in the current environment with trade battles and tariffs, USA-made products can be more reliable. “Some USA-made product is still superior, and delivery times can be reduced. Also, product compliance and safety are still more reliable with domestically produced goods.”

Because there are no tariffs when purchasing domestic promotional products, distributors can enjoy the benefit of more reliable quotes, according to Amberlea Barnes of Drum Line Inc., a turnkey manufacturer whose paper promo products are made start to finish in its factory in Arkansas. “This means better quality control and more customization available on small quantity orders. produced in compliance with all U.S. labor and safety laws. Not to mention, buyers can feel good about supporting American working families,” she relates.

Carrie Lewis, marketing/communications manager for BIC Graphic asserts that another feel-good angle is that USA-made products support American jobs, which supports the economy.  Further, many distributor clients and their end users “can feel good about purchasing USA-made products because they feel like they are contributing positively to the economy.”

Relatedly, she offers, manufacturing in the US has a reputation for safer working conditions and employee compensation than is seen in some other countries. “In turn, better working conditions can improve employee performance so American-made goods may have higher quality and last longer,” she adds.

Manufacturing in the US also provides assurances of compliance to labor standards and working conditions “that we as a nation feel are important,” observes Pam Pennington, vice president, strategic partnerships for Aprons, Etc. 

A US manufacturer, says Janine Cannici, Marketing Communications Manager, VisionUSA/ Titan Custom Products, can offer fast turnaround times even for large orders. Further, she says, domestic manufacturers do not have to worry about containers, ports and damage in transit (also reduces your carbon footprint). “And we see and are able to personally inspect our raw materials, molding, and printing,” she points out.

Now more than ever, observes Harris M. Cohen, MAS, Fellow, president & CEO, All-In-One®, consumers want transparency and authenticity in the products they purchase and consume. However, he explains, some products claiming, “Made in America,” only contain a part that is actually domestically produced and the remainder manufactured abroad. This is not the case when buying certified Made in the USA products, he says. Certified products are guaranteed to have all major parts made in America, with the overall product consisting of 98% or more American made materials.  

“Choosing to buy products manufactured in the US means supporting over 17 million jobs across our country and contributing over 12% of the American Gross Domestic Product,” he comments. “Buying certified Made in the USA products protects domestic jobs and helps our economy to thrive.”

A Peck of Patriotic Products
BIC Graphic’s newest exclusive addition to its USA-made product line is Tervis® drinkware, (#46243) which employs more than 900 people in the US, Lewis reports. Another domestic promotional product is the Triumph® I Love America Calendar (#1452) which, she describes, “showcases beautiful patriotic imagery and quotes from past presidents and notable Americans. Printed in our Sleepy Eye, MN, facility this calendar is a great promo for companies who want to have their American pride prominently on display for a full year’s worth of branding.”

Beacon Promotions continues to be the exclusive supplier of DriMark® highlighters in the US, according to Brey, who notes that DriMark products are manufactured in the USA and have a guaranteed one-year shelf life. Also, “our best-selling rain gauge (#GP242RT), a US-made product, is a popular item in agriculture and nursery/landscaping companies. We also carry US-made Maglite® Flashlights, a highly recognized retail brand with great quality.”  

According to Dohan, ALLEN/COLORCRAFT® carries the most USA-made ceramic mug varieties and glass items. “In fact, our new, hot “Lifefactory® brand encompasses USA-made silicon sleeves. We have a union (USW) and many election/government/union orders on these items,” he relates.

Aprons Etc. was originally a total USA-made products company, and now exclusively offer disposable table covers in both plastic and non-woven with all materials and printing done domestically, says Pennington. “Since we still operate a cut-and-sew facility, we can produce some custom products in lower quantities than import manufacturing,” she assures. Among the company’s USA-made items are custom equipment covers for the hospitality industry, protective covers for automotive repairs and walker and wheelchair totes for the healthcare industry. 

“Customized sheets add valuable advertising impressions to a promotional journal or note pad,” describes Barnes. “Distributors can help clients create a functional product that tells their story in a way that a one location imprint on an imported item just can’t do.”

She adds that customized notepads are good for standardizing processes and procedures. A legal pad with an outline to review potential dealers ensures consistent data collection. A custom cabinet maker uses pads with graph paper and a project form to gather on-site measurements and details for estimates. A physical therapy group adds locations, directions, accepted insurance, and other details to custom notepads. The pads are left at medical clinics where patients are referred.

The Book Company’s Spectrum Softcover USA journals are, describes Kilpatrick, “a perfect choice for companies in any industry to create customized training manuals, tradeshow giveaways and business promotions.  In addition, arts and entertainment companies love the vivid full-color printing options that bring their artwork and images to life in an extremely impactful way.”

Made in the USA products – and appreciation/use of those products – is likely going to continue to bloom. Lewis observes, “The perception that products produced in America offer higher quality and efficiency align with these values. Based on your client’s target audience and brand identity, a USA-made product may offer more appeal than lower-cost alternatives.”

Being patriotic by buying American is not an old-fashioned value, nor is it political – it’s a source of pride and a boost to our economy. It’s win-win!  

CASE STUDIES
Gwen Brey of Beacon Promotions: “A landscaping company gave its customers a Maglite® M3A Mini Maglite flashlight to thank them for choosing the company to do their landscaping job. The landscapers would leave a flashlight for their clients as a parting gift when they were finished with the job.

"A seed company wanted its farm/ranch customers to book their seed orders for the following spring’s planting.  Anyone who booked their seed orders in early winter received a Triangle Rain Gauge (#GP242RT).  Farmers and ranchers need to know how much rain they received, so it was the perfect location to put their logo and contact information, as it is seen on a regular basis.  The farmers and ranchers loved the rain gauge, as it holds up to 7 inches of rain. 

Janine Cannici, Marketing Communications Manager, VisionUSA/ Titan Custom Products: “We recently had a large order for our Arrondi Mugs (#RD21) that was fast turnaround and the client had specifically asked for a mug made in USA. We are seeing many more requests from distributors and their customers to buy USA when possible – especially in the drinkware category.”

Amberlea Barnes of Drum Line, Inc.: “Businesses of all types are recruiting, hiring, and training employees, she adds. Memo pads are given at job fairs to remind potential applicants to fill out an online application. We are seeing more products designed for internal use. For example, an auto dealership gave small journals to new salespeople. The sheets included training tips and a daily progress form.

A large medical group provided managers with durable journals to use when making rounds. The guided sheets included daily checkbox reminders, specific questions to ask staff, and plenty of room for notes.”

Missy Kilpatrick, Vice President of New Business Development, The Book Company: “A popular personal care brand created a ‘Confidence Journal’ that was sent to all individuals who signed up on its website.  This journal was created to inspire confidence and promote the beauty within.  Inside were pages full of questions and activities to help the user discover their unique, wonderful and beautiful self.”

Carrie Lewis, marketing/communications manager for BIC Graphic North America:  “In preparation for Nurses Week, an oncology center wanted to plan a special appreciation event for its staff. The administration reached out to patients receiving regular treatment at the facility to participate and collected short messages of thanks from them. The administration had BIC® Sticky Note™ adhesive notepads (#P4A3A25) phantom imprinted with alternating messages from patients, and included them in gift baskets for each nurse. The BIC® Sticky Notes™ were also used at the facility throughout the year and both patients and nurses loved the positive reminders accompanying each note.”

Harris M. Cohen, MAS, Fellow, president & CEO, All-In-One®:  “SXSW (South by South West) vendors gave away tens of thousands of USA Made ‘Fold-It Flat Pens.’  They unfold and transform into a three-sided pen with a round circle on the top for a bold marketing message, and when you’re ready to put it away, you simply fold it into itself and it transforms back into a small flat rectangle that neatly fits in a pocket or purse.  Comments were made that attendees were standing in long lines to get their hands on the Fold-It Flat Pens, and the long lines allowed those vendors to have more meaningful conversations with the recipients in the queue.  One vendor said they’ve “never seen this many people in line for one of their giveaways.’”