Why Welcome Industries Makes Its Visual Measuring Cups (and Now Spoons!) in Chicago
Welcome Industries earned acclaim for its Visual Measuring Cups, which take the guesswork out of cooking and baking — a half a cup looks like half a cup! Now the company is preparing to release its Visual Measuring Spoons, which brings the creative concept to tablespoons and teaspoons. Welcome Industries founder and industrial designer Pam Daniels joins host Scott Paul to talk about the journey of bringing Visual Measure Cups to market, including why the company decided to manufacture its products in Chicago. You can order Visual Measuring Cups and Spoons here: https://welcomeindustries.com/shop Photo courtesy of Welcome Industries
1 Jun 202120min
Why Made in USA Shoemaker Okabashi Gave Away 10,000 Pairs of Shoes
The Manufacturing Report first chatted with Okabashi's Sara Irvani in 2019 to learn more about her company's history and commitment to Made in America. Now we're catching up with Irvani to find out how Okabashi weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, and what the company is planning next. "This is a category of shoes that not only brings comfort, but brings joy," Irvani said. "And in these tough times, I think it becomes more important than ever to have sources of joy." Photo courtesy of Okabashi
3 Mai 202122min
Dan Breznitz on Why the U.S. "Can't Even Produce the Things It Invented"
Back in January, Dan Breznitz co-authored an insightful op-ed for The New York Times on how the desire for short-term gains led the United States to offshore much of its production. That policy choice caused the loss of millions of good-paying jobs and left the U.S. unable to respond in a crisis. Now Breznitz is out with a new book, "Innovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World," which looks at ways to promote innovation policy that benefits as many people as possible. AAM President Scott Paul chats with Breznitz about the book, and what the United States must do to bring critical manufacturing back. More on the book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/innovation-in-real-places-9780197508114?q=innovation%20in%20real%20places&lang=en&cc=us The New York Times op-ed: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/opinion/manufacturing-united-states-masks.html
19 Apr 202124min
AAPI-Owned Face Mask Maker Luosh USA is Aiming to Fix America's PPE Problem
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Melody and Jeremy Briggs took a risk and started Luosh USA, a surgical face mask manufacturing company, to bring more much-needed personal protective equipment to market. For Melody Briggs, who immigrated to the United States from China, it also was a way to show her patriotism for her adopted country — while including a nod to her family's heritage in the new company's name.
29 Mar 202124min
The Grades Are in for America’s Infrastructure, and We’re Going to Need a Lot of Extra Credit
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure this March, giving U.S. national infrastructure a decidedly mediocre ‘C-‘ grade. Eleven categories of infrastructure fared even worse, earning a D+ or less. But President Biden’s ambitious infrastructure investment plan could change all that. ASCE Executive Director Thomas Smith examines the consequences of America’s crumbling roads, airports, schools and so much more and what Biden and Congress need to do now to avoid catastrophe. Getty Images
22 Mar 202121min
Buffalo, N.Y.-Based Oxford Pennant Captures the Conversation and Makes 2020 a Banner Year
When Oxford Pennant Co-Founder Dave Horesh last joined The Manufacturing Report in March 2020, the world had just turned upside down, and pandemic pressures were threatening to close small businesses nationwide. And yet, 2020 was the wool felt pennant maker’s most successful ever. The key to their success? Tapping into the conversation. Here’s how they did it. Listen to Horesh's March 2020 interview: https://soundcloud.com/keep-it-made-in-america/oxford-pennant Photo courtesy of Oxford Pennant
8 Mar 202121min
How Does the U.S. Counter China's Chokehold on the Global Market? The Response Starts at Home.
The Biden administration is preparing to reinitiate trade negotiations with an evermore aggressive Chinese government. Clyde Prestowitz, a veteran U.S. trade negotiator and presidential adviser who served as a leader of the first U.S. trade mission to China, contends that the U.S. must first seriously invest in its own manufacturing base. In his new book, "The World Turned Upside Down: America, China, and the Struggle for Global Leadership", Prestowitz details how America can reclaim its critical role as the workshop of the world. Photo courtesy of Yale University Press
22 Feb 202126min
This Black-Owned Pittsburgh Maker's Community Ties Are Stronger Than Ever
When Nisha Blackwell lost her job at a local coffee shop while attending nursing school, buying a gift for her friend's daughter's birthday wasn't an option, so she got out her sewing machine for the first time and went to work. The hairbows she created evolved into Knotzland, a bowtie company founded in 2015. Since then, Blackwell has made it her mission to open new pathways to entrepreneurship for members of her Pittsburgh community through her "Sewcial Network," currently supporting 26 local sewists. Photo courtesy of Knotzland.
8 Feb 202131min
