In 2020, U.S. diplomats Kris Forrest and Rebecca Beardsley hosted a cocktail party, but their shaker just wasn’t up to snuff. So they decided to make their own. Forty cold calls to American steel fabricators and many YouTube CAD tutorial videos later, they launched C&D Tools, a veteran- and minority-owned company. Within six months, they had landed a feature in The New York Times and sold out their entire stock. Here's why Made in America was foundational to their business plan from the start. 

Photo courtesy of C&D Tools

While studying at Yale Law School, Darnell Epps heard that U.S. manufacturers were grappling with a labor shortage, and he was baffled that tens of thousands of valuable community-supporting jobs weren't finding applicants. So, he enrolled at a trade school to become a certified machinist and find out what the heck was going wrong. What he learned was that the skilled trades are an invaluable pathway to the middle class, and that workers needed better tools to connect with potential employers, prompting him to build Thurgood Industries, a career-networking app tailored to skilled trade workers.

Photo courtesy Thurgood Industries

For decades, Image Pointe's unionized workers have screen-printed clothing in Iowa. So, when the company contemplated starting its own American-made apparel factory that held true to the same ethical labor practices, Image Pointe CEO Josh Ruyle knew it had to be union-represented. In 2024, Image Pointe opened Dignity Apparel in Tennessee with 100% of its workforce represented by Workers United, making it the only union-knit fabric manufacturer in the U.S. Dignity Apparel's Ruyle and Matt Davis discuss why unionizing their workforce has been a critical part of their company's American-made success.

Photo courtesy of Dignity Apparel

Grilling is an iconic American pastime, but unfairly subsidized Chinese imports threaten to dissolve the U.S. factories making our grills right here. Meco President Whitney Winter discusses the impact of unfair Chinese competition on the Tennessee-based family-owned grill manufacturing company and highlights the critical role Meco plays in supporting the economy of Greenville, where the company has continuously manufactured its grills since 1968.

Photo courtesy of Meco

Family-run shoe manufacturer Rancourt & Co. has maintained its commitment to Made in America quality and tradition for more than 50 years. This year, you can catch their shoes on full display at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Co-owner and President Mike Rancourt shares the process of creating these iconic, American-made shoes, how they came to work with Ralph Lauren for the designer's Team USA Olympic uniform, and the pride Rancourt & Co. shoes bring to the Lewiston, Maine community. 

Photo courtesy Rancourt & Co.

If you’ve ever done any water sports, then you’ve probably used TRC Recreation water gear. The Texas company has been a key player in the water sports gear market since the 1950s. CEO Matt Iles shares their rich history, innovative spirit, and commitment to American manufacturing. 

Photo courtesy of TRC Recreation

Wendy Cutler has spent nearly 30 years as a diplomat and negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, working to lower tariffs and open markets. But, now, as the world grapples with a deluge of Chinese industrial overcapacity in key sectors, Cutler is advocating for preemptive trade action and international cooperation to counter China's trade manipulation. Listen in for insights from the Asia Society Policy Institute vice president.

Photo courtesy of the Asia Society Policy Institute

Host Scott Paul shares how to channel all that flag-waving spirit into buying that supports America's workers and economy. And, he revisits conversations with industry experts, Made in America Store Owner Mark Andol and Annin Flagmakers Vice President of Sales Bob Caggiano, who discuss their commitment to 100% American production and the impact on local economies and national pride.

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Chinese-made cars are already finding their way onto American streets with brands like Volvo leading the way. Dunne Insights CEO Michael Dunne, a seasoned expert in the automotive industry with extensive experience in both American and Chinese markets, discusses how Chinese automakers have strategically positioned themselves to dominate both the internal combustion and electric vehicle markets and what that means for the United States.

Photo from Volvo press materials

As America's factory boom comes to fruition, recruiting the next generation of factory workers is more important than ever, but getting them through the door isn't always easy. Taylor Evans, the president and founder of talent recruitment agency Rust Belt Recruiting, shares how manufacturers can go beyond the paycheck to add value to employees' lives and why understanding workforce needs is crucial for today's industrial leaders.

Photo courtesy of Rust Belt Recruiting