U.S.-made socks are not extinct
After
an essay I wrote on my failed attempt to boycott Chinese products for the holidays I got a flood of email.
The bulk of it was from consumers on both sides of the China debate, but I also got a few emails from small businesses through out the United States informing me that indeed they still made their goods in the Good ol’ USA.
One company even offered to send me socks for my kids.
Since I started my essay with a package of boys’ socks I decided to return to Hanes because it turned out they were made in China, Jeff Lawson from
sock maker Thorlos wanted to help keep my son’s feet warm.
“You and other moms may not know it but you do have a choice. I am here to proudly say the best socks are still made in the USA by Thorlos; the company I am a part of. If you provide me with your land mail address, I will gladly send you a pair of our kids socks for your child. I'd love him to conduct a comfort and durability test. I will bet these will become his favorite socks and yours to as they will last way, way beyond anything your child has ever romped in.”
The offer from Lawson was very generous, but being a journalist I can’t accept gifts from companies.
That said, I was happy to hear that some products are still made on our shores and that means manufacturing jobs in our country. Thorlos employs about 300 people.
OK, for some reason these guys are able to keep the machines churning away in the US. They’ve had their share of ups and down for sure, having to layoff nearly 50 employees in September. But they are still persevering.
“We are committed to keeping 100% of our operation here in the USA despite the economic pressures to offshore. We have made a conscious strategic decision to continue to manufacture our socks in North Carolina. Thorlos is an American family business and we will stay this way. We are dedicated to growing a powerful vibrant profitable American manufacturing based Brand.”
I also got a short email from one of the owners of
Pecos Pine Inc. a toy maker in Ashland, Oregon:
“Check us out! We are a 100% Handcrafted Natural Wooden Toys and Puzzles. Pecos Pine has been manufacturing toys for over 25 years. Safe and long lasting.”
The note was from Virgie Rumsey who says business has been up for her U.S. made products since the China recalls started. The annual Christmas fair she attends was a buzz with consumer looking for domestic items, and that translated into a 20 percent rise in sales for Rumsey.
“They know our toys are safe,” she adds. “Even our glue is made in the U.S.”
