The Manufacturing Report

Vermont-based Ann Clark Cookie Cutters may have humble beginnings, but it's well on its way to dominating the global market. Ann Clark Cookie Cutters CEO Ben Clark shares how the company's taking on China in its mission to be the world's cookie cutter supplier with a marketing and manufacturing edge.

Photo courtesy of Ann Clark Cookie Cutters

Dubbed the "Sock Queen" by The New York Times, Gina Locklear, founder of zkano organic socks, founded her company with the central mission of saving her parents' sock mill in Fort Payne, Ala. Ten years later, she's as determined as ever to restore her hometown's manufacturing legacy as the "Sock Capital of the World."

Photo courtesy of zkano

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And our 2019 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide is ready to help you keep your holiday shopping Made in America. In this episode, Scott Paul speaks with the Alliance for American Manufacturing's own Elizabeth Brotherton-Bunch about how exactly the gift guide comes together, and we hear from several of the manufacturers spotlighted in this year's guide.

In the 1970s, the West Virginia-based Homer Laughlin China Company was forced to discontinue its iconic Fiesta dishware brand in a market overrun by cheap imports. But a fervent fan base clamored for its return, and Homer Laughlin resumed selling its colorful tableware.

On this episode, host Scott Paul speaks with Homer Laughlin CEO Elizabeth McIlvain to find out how the company beat the odds and continues to keep it Made in America, even in a market still saturated with cheap imports.

Photo courtesy of Homer Laughlin China Company

Joseph Abboud's menswear factory in New Bedford, Mass., churns out over 300,000 suits a year. With 800 workers, the factory qualifies as the largest menswear manufacturer in North America and has been a critical component to Abboud's success as a designer and the Chief Creative Officer for Jos. A Bank and Men's Wearhouse. Host Scott Paul learns why this factory has been the key differentiator for Abboud and the role of domestic manufacturing in the future of fashion.

Photo courtesy of Joseph Abboud

Since launching in 2017, athletic apparel manufacturer Stateline US has proven that it can keep its entire production and sourcing, from zippers to packaging, in America. Now, the company is setting out to tackle an even greater challenge -- to take down sportswear icon Champion.

Photo by Joey Cupelli for Stateline US

It's a fight that could impact tens of millions of manufacturing jobs and the future of public transportation in the United States.

Momentum is building on Capitol Hill to ban companies owned, controlled, or subsidized by the Chinese government from using U.S. tax dollars to build rail cars or buses. In this episode, The Manufacturing Report chats with experts Greg Rogers and Alex Hutkin from Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) about the importance of this legislation, along with what needs to happen to grow and strengthen electric vehicle manufacturing in the United States.

It's been more than a year since we first examined China's grip on pharmaceutical manufacturing. While the United States remains dependent on China for everything from vitamins to antibiotics and cancer medications, there is growing recognition that there is a problem, and hearings on Capitol Hill are now planned to find solutions. In this episode, host Scott Paul revisits his conversation with Rosemary Gibson, who literally wrote the book on this issue.

Photo by Getty Images

There's been plenty of buzz about American Factory, the Netflix documentary that provides an incredible fly-on-the-wall look as Chinese glass manufacturer Fuyao takes over an abandoned General Motors plant near Dayton, Ohio. American Factory nabbed the U.S. Documentary Directing prize at the Sundance Film Festival and is even being backed by Higher Ground Productions, the production company run by Barack and Michelle Obama.

But the folks behind American Factory aren't just after prizes and press. They also want the film to open up a conversation in communities across the country about the future of work and other issues presented in the film. On this episode, Scott Paul talks to Melinda Arons, senior vice president of social impact at Participant Media, to learn more about the upcoming American Factory tour,

Summer is quickly coming to an end, and we all know what that means: back to school! For many new and returning college students, it is time to move into the dorm. AAM’s class of summer interns put together a list of Made in America college essentials. Host Scott Paul sat down with Luke Ferguson, Isabel Hayes, Libba McCraw, Noah Musto and Joseph Swindal to learn more.

*Image courtesy of Getty