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

Why Made in USA Shoemaker Okabashi Gave Away 10,000 Pairs of Shoes

Manufacturing is having a moment. But what will it actually take to create more blue-collar jobs and strengthen our industrial base? Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul chats with policymakers, manufacturing experts and factory workers to find out.

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Amid escalating global competition and trade cheating, the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the United States is helping American manufacturers play offense. Owen Herrnstadt, a member of EXIM’s Board of Directors, shares how the bank’s Make More in America Initiative works in conjunction with President Biden’s U.S. supply chain resiliency effort to close financial gaps and support export-oriented projects for American manufacturers.

How the Export-Import Bank is Helping U.S. Manufacturers Play Offense

China is the world's biggest shipbuilder by far, an advantage that Beijing has stolen through decades of trade cheating and massive government subsidies. A new trade investigation launched by the Biden administration is America's first step toward course correction. United Steelworkers International President David McCall joins the podcast to share what prompted the investigation and what's at stake for American workers. 

Photo courtesy United Steelworkers

United Steelworkers President Dave McCall on How America Rights the Ship[building Industry]

China and India are the world's leading mobile phone manufacturers, but one company is moving its production away from these countries and setting up shop in the United States. Dubbed "Project Patriot," Orbic's plan to manufacture connected devices on Long Island will bring more than 1,000 jobs back to America. Orbic North America Founder and CEO Mike Narula shares how.

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New York's Orbic is Bringing Electronics Manufacturing to the U.S.

American Paper Optics has made a whopping more than 3 billion pairs of its innovative 3D glasses. Now, in preparation for the Great North American Eclipse on April 8, this Tennessee company is churning out millions upon millions of ISO-approved and CE-certified eclipse glasses so people can safely experience this rare astronomical event. In fact, it’s NASA’s go-to source for eclipse glasses! CEO John Jerit shares why solar eclipse viewers need safe glasses, how his company has been gearing up to supply them, and what the company does when it isn't getting ready for an eclipse (hint: the Super Bowl). 

Photo courtesy of American Paper Optics

Tennessee's American Paper Optics Keeps Your Eyes Safe During the Eclipse and Beyond

In his new book, "American Flannel: How a Band of Entrepreneurs Are Bringing the Art and Business of Making Clothes Back Home," journalist Steven Kurutz profiles men and women who have the courage and grit to fight the tide of offshoring that obliterated 98% of America's apparel and textile industry. Listen in for what inspired his examination of American-made clothing and his outlook on the industry's future. 

Photo courtesy of Penguin Random House

Why Made in USA Shoemaker Okabashi Gave Away 10,000 Pairs of Shoes

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