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SMALL BUSINESS
In Search of American-Made Products
Previous-
AP
What the Heck Is
Made in America?
After nearly half a year of recalls from China, more Americans are left to wonder how and where they can find products made and grown in the U.S. of A.
From toys and tools to personal hygiene products and wares, find out what is actually made in America.
Next: Merle Norman -
Mark Rightmire/MCT
Cosmetics: Merle Norman
Merle Norman launched her cosmetic and skin care products in the 1920s through old-fashioned networking: she simply gave samples away.
Norman opened her first studio in Santa Monica in 1931, based on her "try before you buy" methodology. Then set out to encourage more women to embrace business and open one of her studios.
Today there are more than 2,000 independently owned Merle Norman studios.
Next: Yankee Candle Company -
Amazon
Housewares: Yankee Candle Company
Rooted in the American Dream, founder Mike Kittredge launched the company at 16 when the candle he intended to make for his mother resulted in a sale to his neighbor. Thirty years later, the company celebrated its IPO.
The private equity firm of Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC purchased Yankee Candle Company in early 2007.
Next: Vermont Teddy Bear Company -
Amazon
Toys: Vermont
Teddy Bear Company
Formerly traded under the ticker symbol BEAR, the privately held Vermont Teddy Bear Company continues to manufacture its craftsman quality bears in Vermont.
The company also remains commited to its pledge: To change the world one bear at a time.
Next: KitchenAid -
Amazon
Housewares: KitchenAid
Currently owned by Whirlpool (WHR), KitchenAid was recently recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as an American icon.
The brand's flagship product, the stand mixer, will be preserved by the Smithsonian Museum. The mixer, invented by Herbert Johnson in 1908, remains virtually unchanged today.
Next: Oppenheim PlasticsRelated Links
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Oppenheim
Packaging: Oppenheim Plastics
There's nothing more basic than packaging.
For the past 50 years, Oppenheim Plastics has been supplying wholesalers and retailers with packaging for everything from jewelry to food.
Next: Pendleton Woolen Mills -
Pendleton Woolen Mills
Clothing: Pendleton
Woolen Mills
Family owned and operated by the Bishop family for more 140 years, the Pendleton Woolen Mills company has long tradition of weaving fine wools.
As American clothing style adopted a more casual tradition, Pendleton apparel changed with time and began incorporating non-woolen coordinates and sportswear. Today the company operates 75 retail stores and a mail-order/Web catalog business.
Next: Aegis Bicycles -
Aegis Bicycles
Aegis Bicycles
"Does it really matter where a bike is made?" That's the question American-made Aegis Bicycles challenges others to answer.
The company shares a patent for carbon-frame bikes with Kestrel. Yet Kestrel's single- piece frames are now manufactured more cheaply in China, while Aegis continues to produce three-piece carbon frames in northern Maine, where the prototype was first created.
Next: Burt's BeesRelated Links
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Amazon
Cosmetics: Burt's Bees
In addition to being all-American, Burt's Bees formulates its natural personal care products as well as its packaging material based on earth-friendly values.
Roxanne Quimby and Burt Shavitz originally launched the Maine-based company in 1984 by using beeswax by-products (from Burt's bee hives) to make candles.
Next: B&K Components -
B&K Components
Sound Systems: B&K Components
Since 1981, B&K's audio and home theatre sound systems have been designed and manufactured in Buffalo, N.Y. The philosophy of this company is to build upon efficient designs that make it possible to build with the best components and also offer the best prices.
Customers are promised easy use and superior sound.
Next: Cabelas -
Outdoor Gear: Cabelas
This outdoor gear company grew out of a 1961 classified ad placed by Dick Cabela, offering 12 fish flies for $1. Cabela grew a direct mail order business from the single response he received to that ad. The company became a family business that eight years later filled the confines of a former John Deere facility in Sidney, Neb.
Today Cabela's publishes 76 different types of outdoor catalogs along with a line of specialty books.
Next: The Longaberger Company -
The Longaberger Company
Baskets: The Longaberger Company
In 1936, J.W. Longaberger and his wife Bonnie bought the ware basket factory in Dresden, Ohio, where J.W. had once worked. The venture proved unsuccessful until J.W.'s son Dave took a chance on renewing this trend.
Under Dave's leadership and a new economy, the Longaberger Basket Company was reorganized into a direct sales business and today offers pottery and wrought iron in addition to the traditional handwoven ware baskets.
Next: Mrs. Grossman's Paper Company -
Mrs. Grossman's
Paper Supplies: Mrs. Grossman's Paper Company
Graphic designer Andrea Grossman is credited by PEOPLE Magazine as the catalyst behind "stickermania" which first struck young girls in the early '90s and became the precursor to scrapbooking. Never mind that when Mrs. Grossman designed her first sticker for a small retail client, she had no idea the adhesives she ordered would be delivered by the roll, introducing stickers by the yard.
Today Mrs. Grossman's line of products are sold by retailers across the country.
Next: Hillerich & Bradsby Company -
Louisville Slugger
Sporting Equipment: Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
Creator of the original Louisville Slugger baseball bat, circa 1884, Hillerich & Bradsby is the oldest family owned sporting equipment design and manufacturer and credits its bat with turning players into legends.
The company expanded its product line to include golf equipment in 1919.
Next: Silly Putty -
Amazon
Toys: Silly Putty
America's classic toy was invented in a scientist's laboratory more than half a century ago in response to the U.S. government's request for synthesized rubber during WW II. The bouncey putty made its way among engineers and scientists looking for a use before finding it's way into the hands of an imanginative toy store owner.
The original Real Solid Liquid® has been inducted into the Smithsonian Institution to preserve America's past and cultural identity.
Next: Madcapz -
Madcapz
Hats: Madcapz
One of the newest made in America companies, Madcapz launched to provide women with more feminine, fun and stylish versions of the long-standing baseball cap design.
Founders Carni Bell and Marti Haas have expanded their line for children and infants.
Next: United States Playing Card Co. -
Toys: United States Playing Card Co.
Home to the best-selling playing cards for more than 100 years, the manufacturers of BICYCLE® cards maintains its original headquarters founded in Cinnicinati, Ohio in 1867.
The company continues to market and distribute its own product line that includes puzzles as well as other children's card games.
Next: Union Jean Co. -
Union Jean Company
Clothing: Union Jean Co.
This Ohio distributor was created to market and sell American union-manufactured apparel across the United States and abroad.
Union Jean Company is a supporting member of the Buy American Campaign.
Next: Stride Tool Inc. -
Stride Tool Inc.
House Tools: Stride Tool Inc.
Founded in 1980, Stride Tool Inc. purchased the 100-year-old Imperial brand that grew out of a brass manufacturing company.
Today Stride Tool Inc. continues to support American innovation by actively working with and recruiting new inventors.
Next: What's Popular on Money & Finance -
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