Made in America doesn’t just effect American consumers and the retail market. We often forget about the companies who make the machinery that keeps our country operating. Quantum Innovations is one of those companies who makes the equipment behind the scenes. Without these companies supplying the means to production, ‘American Made’ isn’t possible. qtmi.net
Today’s interview is with Darn Tough’s founder and president, Ric Cabot. We talk about the quality, pride, and family heritage that epitomize Darn Tough’s socks.   Can you give 50 BUILT readers some background on yourself and the events that lead up to starting Darn Tough? My father and grandfather were in the sock business, so I was born into it. Growing up there were socks all around the house, and I would flip through the pages of fashion and hosiery magazines that were sitting around the house. I was always interested in joining my father in the sock business and had an appreciation of the fashion and textile industries.   How was the industry different back before Darn Tough? Before I started Darn Tough Vermont in 2004, I was working with my father Marc at our family’s business, Cabot Hosiery Mills. Cabot Hosiery had been very successful up until around…Continue Reading
This week’s wallpaper highlights the predicament the Pentagon faces. Our national security is being outsourced and they are losing their ‘trusted’ foundries in the USA that produce the weapons that protect our nation. Available in 4 different sizes for your computer or iphone. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE
There are a few products that you encounter that truly feel unique and innovative. Bound custom journals fall into that category. These are truly custom journals, built to your specifications, crafted one at a time by hand in North Carolina. Expensive, you might think, but they are not. For $35 you get a 140 page hard-bound journal made up entirely of pages that YOU need. For $10 you have the same custom options in a smaller 48 page memo book. The ordering process is a great and enjoyable process. The hardest part is deciding what you want your one-of-a-kind journal to be. You can add blank pages, grid pages, a calendar with any duration of your choosing, game pages, address book, to-do lists, maps of major world cities and more! Just add what you need up to 140 pages, in any order, and it will be made. Not only will…Continue Reading
There are few American companies as iconic as Weber. Since 1952 the Weber charcoal grill has made its way into backyards all over the USA. It’s revolutionary and distinctive shape has become recognized worldwide. To this day most of their charcoal and gas grills are still American made in Illinois. As always, make sure to double check since some models, and most all Werber accessories are made overseas. Also you can see how their gas grills are made in this video. Unfortunately neither factory have tours open to the public.
Anchor Brewing Company has a great sense of history with an eye on the future and what it means to be an American brewer. Founded in 1896, Anchor Steam came about during the gold rush and hung around until 1965, when it was in danger of shutting down. Frederick Louis Maytag III, of the Maytag family, bought brewery in 1965 an has since created a leader in the U.S. micro-brewery industry. In 2010 Anchor was sold again, but remain committed to Anchor’s quality crafted beer. There are around 10 beers in the Anchor line, 6 of which are brewed year around. After you’ve tried their namesake Anchor Steam brew, check out the Liberty Ale appropriately named since it was first brewed to celebrate the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride. Cheers. The above video is from ReasonTV‘s YouTube feed and features Anchor’s longtime owner, Fritz Maytag. Mr. Maytag is an American icon and shows…Continue Reading
Today’s interview is with Brent Starck, founder of Drift Studio in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Drift is a design studio, think-tank, prototype lab and ultimately a maker of module furniture.   Can you give 50 BUILT readers some background on yourselves and how Drift came to be? I have been planning and imagining the idea of Drift Studio for most of my life in some form or another. I’ve always been an inventor, an artist and a maker at heart and I’ve always imagined a life where I could pursue those passions on a daily basis as my career.  Drift Studio is my effort to make those dreams a reality. It is a place that hopefully will become a creative hub for product ideas and an incubator to help nurture those ideas into reality. I studied economics at the UW-Madison and while I fully enjoyed the whole experience it wasn’t until junior…Continue Reading
This week’s wallpaper highlights the Nazareth, Pennsylvania Martin Guitar factory. Available in 4 different sizes for your computer or iphone. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE
Carved is a company in Elkhart, Indiana that has a serious passion for creating the finest wood iPhone, iPad and Kindle skins. They are highly customizable with a laser-etched process, or they come simple and clean in Mahogany, Walnut, Redwood, Olive Ash, Paldao, Padauk, Purpleheart, Bamboo, Ebony, Sycamore or Cherry woods. A great feature is the price-point for these American made skins. For the iPhone, the basic clean wood covers start at $19 and for the detailed laser etched designs you are looking at $29. One feature, that is a true perk of domestic manufacturing, is the ability to customize your own. For $49 you can send your own artwork and have them create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind skin. The two we are reviewing today have intricate laser-etched details carved into the wood, one of a world map, and the other of a ‘Wild West’ character. The wood grain is beautiful…Continue Reading
If you have ever been in the market for an outdoors multi-purpose tool, you have undoubtedly come across the Leatherman brand. It all started in 1983 with their Pocket Survival Tool, when Tim Leatherman and Steve Berliner started Leatherman. Now 30 years later with 30 different models, Leatherman has a 90,000 square foot facility and 400 employees. The above video is from LeathermanMedia. You can visit their factory in Oregon today to see these iconic tools being made by Americans. FACTORY TOUR DETAILS: Cost: FREE Reservations:  503-408-5550 – First 10 people to show up, no group tours. Tour Duration: 1-1.5 hours Factory hours: Wednesdays 10AM Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle Portland, Or 97220-9001 leatherman.com
Quoddy builds handmade quality moccasins that are made to last. They hale from Maine, home to several legendary shoe & boot makers. The people making the shoes are true craftsmen that have been a part of a tradition that spans generations. The Quoddy product line includes traditional moccasins, shoes and boots for men and women. The above video is from Quoddy’s website and was made my Oliver Wilkins. Quoddy.com
Today’s interview is with The Speed Merchant crew: Brandon Holstein, Dan Begakis, and Mark Kawakami. Speed Merchant is based on Southern California, and manufacturers custom motorcycle aftermarket parts & accessories.   Can you give 50 BUILT readers some background on yourselves and how Speed Merchant came to be? The Speed Merchant is a team of like minded guys, Brandon Holstein, Dan Begakis, and Mark Kawakami, who each bring something different to the table.  The goal is to bring our sense of style and function to the motorcycle industry, while keeping our manufacturing here in California. Brandon Holstein: I have had a love of motorcycles ever since I was a kid. I started working in the motorcycle industry over 10 years ago. Building and designing has been something I’ve been doing steadily now for the last 7 years as, “Brawny Built”; my own company, that focuses on custom fabrication and custom…Continue Reading
This week’s wallpaper highlights the indifference our government is showing towards R&D funding and what it means to lose R&D. Available in 4 different sizes for your computer or iphone. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE
Trying to find your dog a toy that’s made in the USA isn’t easy, but there are options. Kong doesn’t make all of their toys in the USA, but one that is, is their Classic toy. For the last 30 years the classic Kong has been among the first toys purchased for a new dog or puppy. It’s offered in 6 different sizes and densities. With a size and softness for every dog, it makes the perfect entertainment toy, chew toy and you can stuff it with treats to keep your pup busy for hours. We have two Kongs for our dog that have last over 1.5 years so far, without major signs of wear. She tore through her puppy Kongs once her adult teeth came in, but it was obviously time to to upgrade to the harder rubber anyways. It’s her go to toy to play fetch or tug,…Continue Reading
Established in 1833 and located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the Martin & Company guitar factory makes some of the most sought-after guitars in the world. Their guitars are both a work of art and an instrument for musicians. Their guitar ‘wood shop’ employs over 600 employees and has never had to lay-off an employee. They have found a business model of success, by producing only acoustic guitars, mostly by hand, and not trying to outgrow their niche. From a humble 182 guitars made in 1900 to over 24,000 made in 2000, the Martin Guitar shop has made over 1,000,000 guitars to date. The video above is 1 in a series of 6. Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4  |  Part 5  |  Part 6 FACTORY TOUR DETAILS: Cost: FREE Reservations: Only for large groups – 800.345.3103 Tour Duration: 1.5 hours (plus museum) Factory hours: M-F 9AM-2PM Martin Guitar Factory…Continue Reading
The Dustbin trashcan comes from Brandon Ravenhill and is made in Los Angeles, CA. The video from Brandon Ravenhill shows the manufacturing process and the ingenious details of their Dustbin Trashcan. The video covers the production of the metal trashcan at Angell & Giroux factory and their brush at Gordon Brush factory.
Today’s interview is with one of the founders from We Are Runts (WAAR), Michael Quinones. Michael and Matt Davis started WAAR as a mission to bring Made in the USA to market with influences pulled from the surf, skate and motorcycle culture. They have dedicated themselves to bringing an affordable, 100% USA made, product to the consumer.   Can you give 50 BUILT readers some background on yourselves and how WAAR came to be? Matt Davis & I both have worked in the action sports and contemporary apparel market for about a decade now. All the brands that we have been apart of were developed and manufactured overseas with the intent on being more or less volume driven. We saw the issues of developing and producing overseas as startup companies. The constant ‘bait and switch’ that would happen with production, poor quality, and generally zero accountability for the issues at hand…Continue Reading
This week’s wallpaper highlights the New Era factory in Derby, NY that manufactures all of the MLB baseball caps. Available in 4 different sizes for your computer or iphone. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE
Vapur is a water ‘anti-bottle’ company located in Westlake Village, California. They are on a mission to educate the consumer and support the movement away from bottled water. They have statistics on their website, and they donate/fundraise for Drop of Hope & the Anti-Bottle Project, all in the name of good, clean, water. Their product is unique in that it is flexible, reusable, eco-friendly and made in the USA. These ‘anti-bottles’ are also freezable, dishwasher-safe and BPA-free. They offer three different anti-bottles: Reflex, Runaway & Element. Today we’re reviewing the .7L/ 23 oz Element. What an awesome product. It really provides a stylish and easy-to-use container for your favorite thirst quencher. The .7L Element retails for $11.99. This is truly a steal for such a functional, USA-made product. When it’s full, the container stands on its own, no awkward tipping or any sign of being unstable. When it’s empty, it can be rolled…Continue Reading
Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, LL Bean continues to this day to make their legendary ‘Bean Boot’ and ‘Maine Hunting Shoes’ in Brunswick, Maine. Like many of the factories across the country, you get decades of experience from each worker. The factory is a centerpiece of the community, not just in Brunswick, but all of Maine. It’s the loyalty, years of service and experience that gives these legendary boots their unmatched craftsmanship. FACTORY TOUR DETAILS: NOT ALWAYS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Reservations: Yes, call: 207 725 0300 for up to date information. Tour Schedule: CALL Tour Duration: CALL LL BEAN 8 Industrial Parkway Brunswick, ME USA 207 725 0300 llbean.com  
The above video documents American Apparel’s three Los Angeles factories. With complete control from cotton sourcing, dying and manufacturing of their garment they can assure an end product that can be proudly Made in America. They pride themselves on vertical integration from manufacturing, wholesale to retail. Promising “Sweatshop-free” garments, American Apparel pays its employees over $12/hr compared to workers in China making 40 cents/hr. As the largest garment factory in the USA it has the capability of producing 275,000 pieces a day and up to a million shirts a week. It’s a business platform that appears to be working as American Apparel is the go-to t-shirt blank for companies across the world. Made in the USA is possible, even in an industry that has virtually disappeared from our country. americanapparel.net
Today’s interview is with Joe Hardin of Texas Timber. Joe and his father, Wayland, started Texas Timber back in 1998 and have made a niche for themselves in the custom wood bat market. It’s a great story, keep on reading!   Can you give 50 BUILT readers some background on yourselves and how Texas Timber came to be? Sure. I’ll start with my dad, Wayland; he grew up in a small farming community and has always approached life by letting hard work speak for itself. He is one of those guys that can implement anything – from woodworking, to welding, to mechanics– he still amazes me with what he is able to do. He is also the type of guy that if it you can get by on a task with 2 nails, he is going to use at least 4 nails to make it solid. We joke as a…Continue Reading
This week’s wallpaper highlights an overall picture of manufacturing in the USA and the positive factors our American workers can offer. Available in 4 different sizes for your computer or iphone. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE
In a sport that prides itself on being America’s pastime, most of the companies representing the baseball have abandoned American manufacturing. Nokona baseball gloves are one of the few glove companies that can say they are American Made. The Nokona Classic Walnut glove is offered in 11.5″, 12″ and 12.75″. I went with the 12.75″ since I’ll be using the glove for baseball and softball. I’m sure most that use the glove strictly for baseball would prefer the 11.5″ or 12″ glove. The fit is great, and when trying on several different gloves from multiple companies, it was clear the quality of leather used in the Nokonas is superior. The break-in time took a bit longer than cheaper gloves I’ve had, but that is expected. There are some extra holes drilled into the wrist closure, and I used them to re-lace the glove to be a snugger fit around my…Continue Reading
The craft brewery explosion of the 1980s is a microcosm of how pro-American business legislation can clear the way for innovation and entrepreneurial ventures. Sierra Nevada, one of the most respected breweries, was a part of that explosion, and one of the leaders of the craft brewery movement in the USA. Located in Chino, California, Sierra Nevada was founded in 1980 and currently employs around 450 workers. The company has announced the opening of a new brewery in Mills River, North Carolina in 2014. FACTORY TOUR DETAILS: Cost: FREE Reservations: Yes, call ahead: 530.899.4776 Tour Duration: 1.5 hour Factory hours: SUN-TH 12-4PM, F/SAT 12-5PM Sierra Nevada Brewery 1075 East 20th Street Chico, CA sierranevada.com