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Saving America's
Footwear Industry, Part 2
The response to the original
"Saving America's Footwear Industry" article from ezine subscribers and
regular visitors to the website chiming in with more American-made footwear
brands was so overwhelming; I am compelled to write a follow-up article.
In the original Buy American Mention of the Week, I featured Danner Shoe
Manufacturing Company (www.danner.com)
and Cape Shoe Company (www.capeshoe.com)
as two preferred domestic makers of shoes and boots. Many readers of that
article, however, corrected me pointing out that not all of Danner's
products are made in the USA. Only those products on the Danner website that
specifically say "Made in USA" in the detailed product description are
actually made here. Cape Shoe Company, however, does make all their shoes
and boots in the USA.
Now for some other patriotic choices, as suggested by many of our readers
and subscribers. Red Wind Shoe Company offers a wide variety of shoes and
boots, but only those branded with the Red Wing label are American made, so
shop wisely. Red Wing has two plants in Minnesota, one plant in Missouri and
one plant in Kentucky. Their Minnesota-made boots are proudly made by both
the Teamsters and Boot and Shoe Workers of America unions. Visit
www.redwing.com.
You can also visit
www.weinbrennerusa.com
where you'll find all Work One and Sturgis boots are union made in Wisconsin
USA. The other brands on the website are not made in the USA. A visit to
www.chippewaboots.com
displays the words "American made since 1901," leaving little doubt that all
Chippewa boots are made in USA. You can also buy American made/union made
boots at
www.ironworkergear.com.
These boots proudly have the American flag displayed right on the tongue of
the boot.
I also received emails requesting more footwear options for the ladies. I
would suggest visiting
www.okabashi.com
where all kinds of sandals and other casual footwear may be found. The
heritage page of their website claims that all their footwear is made in the
USA and that the company, according to my email correspondence with them, is
based in Georgia, even though the name sounds like it might be foreign
based.
And last but certainly not least, I corresponded with President and CEO
Roberta Shoemaker of the West Coast Shoe Company. You can find their website
at
www.westcoastshoe.com.
Roberta assured me that 100% of West Coast boots are made in their
Scappoose, Oregon factory. She also offered the following quotes and asked
that I include them in this article to convey the company's continued
commitment to the American worker. Her quotes are as follows:
"BUY AMERICAN is diluted in the sense of the definition of ‘Made In
America.' Many products only require a small portion to be manufactured in
the United States to qualify for this label. I would like to see a
modification to the system creating a category for products 100% Made In
America such as ours. And, to further show the commitment of manufacturers
in this category, a higher level of recognition should be given to those who
use raw materials and products that are also manufactured 100% in the US.
Buy American labeling should definitely not only tighten up their standards,
but subsequently strengthen consumer awareness through product labeling."
It’s great to see that the commitment to American workers in the U.S. is
alive and well in so many U.S. footwear companies. Let’s make sure they
receive our footwear-purchasing dollars so it can remain financially
possible to live up to their commitments. It’s impossible to expect that
these companies can remain in the U.S. if their competitors make 100% of
their products in China or low-wage Southeast Asia. These American companies
must have the profits necessary to pay the higher wages workers require in
America, so let’s channel our dollars to the right places.
And, since the companies featured in this article offer their products for
purchase right on their websites, you’ll save yourself the time and
frustration involved in going to a big-name retailer only to find they don’t
carry American-made brands and don’t care to either.
As more and more manufacturing jobs in the U.S. continue to disappear, the
fate of the American footwear industry cannot be left alone to blind market
forces. This industry requires action to be saved, and it is the patriotic
consumer that must save it.
Roger Simmermaker, Author
How Americans Can Buy American
www.howtobuyamerican.com
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