Made In America

ABC News - Made In America

2011-03-02T10:07:00.000-06:00

Diane Sawyer and ABC World News have a series of segments on how difficult it is to bring jobs back to the USA after they have been outsourced.

The series also has its own webpage. And it contains some interesting content that includes a profile of a family that is buying only goods made in the USA, an interactive map that tells you where goods are still made in the USA and a section where you can upload pictures of American made products that are in your home.

The Usry family shows how difficult it is to find products that are made in the USA but they are dedicated and doing a pretty good job of it.

It is good to see a major media outlet put forth the effort and resources on this issue.

DARPA, Col. Macgregor & American Manufacturing

2011-02-17T16:55:00.000-06:00

In the August 20, 2010 edition of MIT's Technology Review, Christopher Mims wrote about DARPA's goal to make everything from heavy armor to bombers in "fabs" right here in the good ole' USofA in his article How DARPA Plans to Reinvent U.S. Manufacturing.

For those not up on government agency acronyms, DARPA stands for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. And just what does DARPA do? It was DARPA that was the guiding hand and funding source behind what we know as the internet (sorry Mr. Gore), the stealth fighter and the M16 Assault Rifle. One of their recent creations is the "Boomerang".

The Boomerang is essentially a listening device with special technology that enables it to identify where gun fire is coming from even while moving. This of course has powerful real world implications for urban warfare as well as low intensity conflict areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq where snipers and potshot takers abound. Deployment of this technology should dramatically decrease the effectiveness of enemy snipers as they won't be able to take advantage of stealth or camouflage.

Further into the article Mims links to another article regarding DARPA in InfoWorld. In the InfoWorld story by Paul F. Roberts, he quotes DARPA's Director, Dr. Regina Dugan's testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities wherein she stated for the record "One of the biggest challenges we face as a Nation is the decline in our ability to make things".

DARPA's Director's warnings echos those of retired U.S. Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor. In Season 5 of Dan Rather Reports on HDNet entitled What Happened Next: The Future of the Military, Col. Macgregor stated that the core reason behind the United States reign as a military and economic super power in the 20th century was due to its heavy manufacturing base.

Col. Macgregor lays it straight out: "The first concern for every American should be prosperity because economic prosperity is the foundation for military power. We are not a great military power because we had genius generals. We are not a great military power because God necessarily selected us for the role. We are a great military power because of this economic engine that was constructed between the Civil War and World War I and then expanded as a result of World War II. That engine is in trouble. We have exported much of its manufacturing base overseas. We don't have the skilled labor force that we once had because we haven't trained them, we haven't educated them. We don't have the ability to absorb millions of people into this manufacturing base anymore. So we have to build a new manufacturing base. That should be our number one-- concern: prosperity, economic prosperity."

So according to the experts, it is clear from a military and national security standpoint, that America will not continue to be a super power unless it can actually manufacture the technology and products that it invents and designs.

Top 10 Reasons To Buy Products Made In The USA

2010-12-09T20:41:00.005-06:00

Market researchers have analyzed reader behavior and apparently, people are drawn to lists like the "Top 10 Cities to Raise a Family" or the "Top 5 Companies for MBA Graduates" or the "Top 10 Business Friendly States" or "The 10 Most Beautiful People" or even the "Top 10 Top 10 Lists of All Time"....In short, folks of all ages and backgrounds like to see how things stack up. And their downloads and click-throughs prove this empirically.

So with the above in mind and inspiration from the Master of The Top 10 List - David Letterman - I have assembled the Ultimate Top 10 Reasons to Buy American Made Products

10. American Made Toys Are Lead Free

9. Toys Made In The USA Are Cadmium Free (I can live with destabilized plastic)

8. US Made Dry Wall Won't Corrode Your Home's Electrical Wiring

7. The US Stopped Exploiting Child Labor Early in the 20th Century

6. US Companies Respect Trademarks and Copyrights (for the most part :))

5. I Prefer That My Hard Earned Money Remain In A Free Republic Rather Than Flowing to A Totalitarian State That Engages In Cyber-Attacks, Copyright Violations And Corporate Espionage.

4. 9 Out Of 10 Economists Agree - Reducing The Trade Imbalance Is As Important As Reducing High Cholesterol And Using Sugar Free Gum – (the 1 out of 10 is an agent of a foreign government and likely not registered as a lobbyist either)

3. I Like My Paper Money To Be Worth A Little MORE Than The Paper It's Printed On

2. If The Downward Trend In US Manufacturing Continues We Will Pass A Point Of No Return. (To quote Dr. Peter Vankman It will be “ a disaster of biblical proportions…. Human sacrifices, dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!” Need I say more?)

1. The USA Still Makes Great Products.

Fractiles Are Fun, Creative and Educational

2010-12-03T10:05:00.012-06:00

Math and science. Yikes!

Ok, how many parents and kids just froze? Teachers? If the test results over the past decade regarding American students’ decline in math and science skills are accurate, then I bet a lot of people dread those two words. But math and science are more vital than ever for students as the 21st century gets underway.

3 Real-World Reasons That Math & Science Education Is Important

From an economic standpoint, the United States will not remain an economic powerhouse without lots of people in the workforce with math and science background – period.

From a humanitarian standpoint, without scientists, engineers and mathematicians many of the comforts, tools, machines and techniques that we take for granted would not exist. And, if there are less people with a background in math and science, there will be less people to work on cures for diseases, less people to work on the next generation of transportation solutions (think Star Trek’s transporter) and even less people to work on the next generation iPhone or Xbox!

Thirdly, the reality is that jobs/careers in science and technology pay higher than most others. And as most soon to be college grads can attest to, students receiving a degree in a science or math field are in far more demand than those students pursuing a B.A. in Liberal Arts or a B.S. in Business. Right, wrong or indifferent, that's just the way it is.

Early Exposure To Science Is Vital For Young Minds

Educators agree that introducing reading and math concepts an early age can help increase the odds of a child’s academic success in those areas. All childhood development experts will tell you that instilling a sense of exploration, wonder and fun is key when teaching to young minds. And when it comes to teaching math and science those elements are even more important. That is where Fractiles comes in.

Fractiles is gem of a company that I discovered, when visiting The Ark in Berkeley, CA. (For those of you in the Bay area, I highly recommend visiting The Ark if you are looking for a wide selection of great toys.) Founded in 1998 by Beverly Johnson and Marc Pelletier, Fractiles’ mission is to “help bring the beauty of geometry into the mainstream”.

Just What Are Fractiles?

Fractiles -7 is award winning geometrical magnetic tiling toy that can make an endless variety of designs.

Fractiles-7 A Great Toy and So Much More.

Fractiles-7 is great for building fine motor skills, initiating creativity, promoting open-ended play and advancing spatial concepts, perception, geometry and math. These are all very important activities for a developing mind to be exposed to. Best of all, children are exposed to these activities from just playing, tinkering and noodling around with Fractiles’ pieces.

Working, or I should say playing, with Fractiles is fun and enthralling without feeling like you are working on the Pythagorean theorem or a Mandelbrot set. But in fact, by playing with Fractiles, children are become familiar and comfortable with very important scientific and mathematical concepts that they can reference as a foundation to build upon.

Great Brain Exercise For Any Age

With the advances in neuroscience and the recent discovery of the brain’s neuroplasticity, it is no wonder that Fractiles is beneficial not only for children but also for adults and even those adults with Alzheimer’s, according to Fractiles’ founder Beverly Johnson.

Fractiles is also useful for adults that want to keep their grey matter in shape and slow down the effects of aging. Studies have shown that in addition to reading; puzzles, brain teasers, logic puzzles and creative thinking increases your memory and reasoning power. You could say that Fractiles is to the brain what weight training is to muscles. Like they say, use it or lose it. Don’t let atrophy set in.

Submit Your Creation And Resources for Teachers Using Fratciles

Fractiles’ website also has a section where you can submit a photo of your original Fractiles creation to be shown on the website and where you can see what others have created. And if you are a teacher or a homeschooler, Fractiles has tips and lesson plans for using its products.

Hands On Testing

From my non-scientific “study” of Fractals I can say that it is engrossing and fun. You can create starbursts, spirals, butterflies, mandalas, flowers, and just about anything that you can think of or visualize. One of the most intriguing aspects of Fractiles is that some of the designs take on an almost 3D effect - somewhat like a stereogram. It’s very cool to see the design jump off the board. Both my 4 year old and 6 year old gave Fractiles an enthusiastic thumbs up. My 4 year old likes making her own creations and my 6 year old would sit and focus in on replicating the sample patterns that are provided in the Fractiles' kit. And a few of my relatives that are engineers enjoyed it as well. Getting very positive reviews from such a wide range of people is an achievement for any product, let alone a toy or educational tool.

Commitment to Children

Since its inception over 11 years ago, Fractiles has been committed to producing high-quality toys in the USA with safe and ethical production. In fact, all Fractiles’ toys are tested by a certified laboratory to assure that Fractiles meets or exceeds all U.S. regulations and standards for toy safety (CPSIA 2008).

www.Fractiles.com

So as you shop for the children both young and old (Fractileswebsite where you can either purchase their products or you can search for a retailer near you that carries Fractiles.

Bottom line

Fractiles is fun, educational, environmentally friendly, rigorously tested, timeless and therapeutic. One more thing, as Fractiles comes in a “travel size” edition, it is a great “toy” to bring along on long road trips to Grandma’s house, Jet Propulsion Labs or wherever your kids travel to.

Green Toys, Inc. - Makes It Easy To Be Green (And Fun)

2010-11-24T14:53:00.004-06:00

Green Toys makes environmentally friendly, kid safe, durable and FUN toys from recycled plastic right here in the good ole’ US of A. That’s right! And their toys are rated "awesome" and "cool" from a very fickle clientele - my daughters and nephews.

The Quest for a Tea Set

About two years ago, my daughter came across a tea set that she "really really really really really really wanted." She said "really" a few dozen more times but for the sake of brevity* (and my sanity) I have forgone giving her quote verbatim. Unfortunately for her, from my perspective, the tea set looked cheap, felt cheap and worst of all it was made in a foreign country that has experienced significant issues with lead and cadmium in their toys. In any event, I skillfully redirected her attention and we headed for the store’s exit.

Later, while shopping at another toy store, we came across Green Toys' Tea Set. My daughter carefully examined it and “really*” liked it. While I was not (and I’m still not) an expert on play tea sets, this one looked very well made, it was environmentally friendly and it was made in the USA. A Trifecta!

Needless to say, the Green Toys Tea Set came home with us and it has provided lots of fun play for my daughters. In fact, my daughters tell me that all the Disney Princesses and the "real" Queen of England have quite enjoyed tea with that very set. Perhaps Green Toys can get Queen Elizabeth's Royal Warrant mark? I can see it now...By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen - Purveyors of The Finest Play Tea Set - Green Toys.

Encounter With A Cool Recycling Truck

About a year ago, I picked up a plastic Recycling Truck for my nephew’s birthday. It looked cool (or at least I thought it would to a 4 year old). I saw that Green Toys made the Recycling Truck - the same company that made the tea set my daughters love. I knew if they made the truck as well as they did the tea set, it would be great. Besides looking tough and pretty neat, I saw that it was made of recycled milk jugs and was BPA free.

Green Toys' Recycling Truck In Action

While I appreciate, as much as the next parent does, toys made with 110% of the recommended daily allowance of lead, gamma hydroxy butyrate, BPA, PVC, phthalates and cadmium for youngsters, I decided that maybe, just maybe, I should try to keep my children away from that stuff. I know, I know, I'm radical like that.

So I bought the Recycling Truck from Green Toys. I knew that my nephew would like it and I would have peace of mind that he wouldn’t be exposed to toxic chemicals, heavy metals or other hazardous materials in the toy.

The Fire Truck Incident

About a month ago, I came across a very cool toy store called The Ark. The Ark had an amazing collection of toys for all ages. And there, on a table was the Recycling Truck made by Green Toys that I had bought for my nephew a year ago. And right next to it was a really cool new Fire Truck by Green Toys.

Fire Truck from Green Toys

Yes, the roof ladder is fully operational (pivots vertically and moves 360 degrees) and the side ladders are removable too.

I picked up the box that the Fire Truck came in and there it jumped out at me – Made in USA. I thought Green Toys would be the perfect toy company to profile as we enter the season of giving.

A Mighty Dump Truck

Below is a video of kids playing with Green Toys' Dump Truck. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I suppose that a moving picture is worth a hundred thousand words. Video is courtesy of Green Toys.

View From The Top Into 2011

I was fortunate to speak with Robert von Goeben - Co-Founder of Green Toys and learn a more about Green Toys and what they have planned for the future.

First, he informed me that Green Toys would be introducing a full line of tableware for kids in early 2011 under the Green Eats brand/trade mark. The new Tableware collection is not only environmentally friendly but it is dishwasher safe.

The impetus for the Tableware collection came from parent feedback and enquiries regarding whether or not Green Toys made tableware for kids. There was an obvious demand in the market that wasn’t being met and Green Toys was in a great position to address it.

Forks & Spoons from Green Eats

Green Eats' Table Top Set

When I asked Robert about other new products in 2011, he could not go into specifics but he said that Green Toys would be expanding its offerings in 2011. Could it be that the Fire Truck gets a friend?...say a police car or ambulance or even a rescue helicopter?

Based on their customer focus, continuous innovation and adherence to making fun environmentally friendly toys, I’m pretty sure that parents and kids will both be very happy. We’ll just have to wait and see what neat additions come from Green Toys in 2011.

360° Commitment to the Environment

Robert also explained that Green Toys’ commitment to the environment permeates its entire operation and mission.

Source Material – Recycled, Safe & Local

So let’s start with the source material - plastic. All of Green Toys toys start off as food safe grade plastic – remember all those plastic milk jugs you sort in your recycle bins. Yup. That is the source material for the toys and tableware.

Moreover, purchasing the material locally, in California, where Green Toys is based, does a few neat things; it supports and encourages recycling (since there is a demand for the material); it creates jobs in California, USA, and it reduces the carbon footprint of its products since the source material isn’t being shipped across the ocean.

Sourcing material from overseas can reduce costs and perhaps boost a company’s bottom-line, but in fact, those benefits are essentially wiped out when you consider the massive impact that large cargo ships have on the environment just from their use of heavy oil fuel and the resulting high emissions of sulfur alone. For further details click on the link below. It will really open your eyes to the total cost of manufacturing or sourcing materials from overseas.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/09/shipping-pollution

Green Manufacturing

Another way that Green Toys is gentle on the environment is the very fact that they decided to manufacture their product in California. For those unfamiliar with environmental standards and regulations in the United States, California is usually years if not decades ahead of the rest of the nation in implementing environmental regulation. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum as to the reasonableness or need of such regulation, there is no doubt that having to comply with them can increase the cost of doing business. Green Toys did not let that deter them in establishing their company in California. Having said all that, companies that manufacture in California are subject to some of the most stringent clean air and anti-pollution measures around. This means that Green Toys manufacturing is, by default, environmentally friendly since their entire operation is based in the Golden State.

Green Packaging:

Finally, it seems as though everything and every toy must come in a box or package. Green Toys makes sure that 100% of the material used in its packaging comes from recycled material and that it is also 100% recyclable. Additionally, Green Toys experiments with making their packaging as minimal as possible.

A Win-Win-Win for Everyone

With Green Toys it really is a win-win-win situation. Children get a fun, well designed, USA made toy that’s tough; parents don’t need to worry about inadvertently exposing their children to known carcinogens, hormone disruptors or heavy metals that can damage their damage development; and American worker's don't see their job sent overseas.

This Christmas if you are looking for fun and well made toys check out Green Toys. If toys that are environmentally friendly are important to you, check out Green Toys. If you don’t want to worry about the toy you buy ending up on a government recall list for toxins, then check out Green Toys. If you are looking for toys that promote open-ended l play, go get a Green Toys toy. If supporting companies that make great products in the USA in a priority to you, than you need to visit GreenToys.com and load up on those Christmas presents.

I guess Kermit the Frog was wrong, it is easy being green!

Don't Forget to Buy American Made Products for Christmas

2010-11-19T13:17:00.053-06:00

That Magical Time of The Year
While Christmas is first and foremost a religious celebration, it is also a time of giving to others and that is especially true for parents (and Santa) looking to give their children just the right toy. That job hasn't become any easier over the past few years with the increase of toy recalls due to high levels of lead, other toxins and potential carcinogens. I mean really, I thought coal in the stocking was bad enough but it seems like today, toys need to come with an MSDS besides their instructions and a haz-mat suit!

I don't know about you, but I don't want to see Santa have to go from wearing his traditional red suit to a chemical suit. But if he must, my favorite is the MSA Vaurex Elite ET model. And it comes in Evergreen too - just for the holidays!

Santa Claus circa 1958

Santa circa 2009
Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas boys and girls.
Who wants a Superfund eligible toy?

Even if you aren't buying gifts this holiday season for children, it is still important to buy quality products made in the USA because this is the "make or break" time of year for most retailers and manufacturing companies.

Have you noticed the frenzy already? I walked into my neighborhood Lowe's the week before Halloween and they already had Christmas decorations up - bypassed Thanksgiving all together! And what about the pre-Black Friday, Black Friday events?

With they economy still sputtering and unemployment at near records highs in some areas, buying "American"/ products made in the USA for the holidays can spur job creation, decrease the trade deficit and help strengthen the US Dollar. And those are pretty strong reasons to buy American.

Send Me Info On Companies that Still Make their Products in the USA

If anyone comes across a neat product that is made in the USA, please feel free to forward the information to me and if everything looks good, I'll profile the company and the product.

So read on/scroll down to discover some great toys that are made in the USA by innovative companies that would make excellent Christmas presents.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Soul On The Go! Helps You Stay On The Go To Your Goal!

2010-11-16T13:17:00.004-06:00

Soul On The Go makes what they call "Focus Phrases for Life in Action!". I call it a great idea. And, not only are their products made in the USA but they are made in the little ole' state of Texas. For those concerned about environmental impact, never fear for Soul On The Go is nice to mother nature too.

As luck would have it, I met Amy, one of the founders of Soul On The Go, at a local charity event and learned about her company. After visiting their website, I saw that they made their product in the USA and I knew I had to put Soul On The Go on my blog.

So what exactly are "Focus Phrases for Life in Action"?

Essentially, they are very cool sticky notes that have inspirational quotes and affirmations for topics such as sports, wellness, teenagers, bible, motivation and others. Soul On The Go serves a neat little tool that helps you to stay centered, focused and positive in a very hectic and complex world. I recall a marketing professor in college that would always tell the class that in life "attitude equals altitude". In other words, you can't be successful at whatever it is that you want to accomplish or overcome unless you face it with a positive attitude. I guess I could say that Soul On The Go helps you keep your attitude high so that you can reach your altitude. Philosophizer, I ain't - but I'm sure you get the idea.

Environmentally Friendly – Trees Will Want to Hug You!

As an added bonus these sticky notes are made with earth friendly materials and they are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). So your purchase is reinforcing sound forest management and not clear-cutting old growth forests and timber.

www.SoulOnTheGo.com - Home Page

Inspiration for Soul On The Go

Every packet of sticky notes contains about 25 notes with motivational quotes and/or affirmations focused on a specific topic as I mentioned earlier. The inspiration for Soul On The Go was Amy's daughter. Amy was looking for a way to instill and remind her daughter that all things are possible and to always be confident and positive. With the help and collaboration of two of Amy’s friends and now business partners, Soul On The Go arrived.

It's Like Opening A Little Present Every time

The packets are uniquely designed to unfold and reveal the pearl of wisdom contained on the note. It was fun opening up the Soul On The Go package. It is part diary and part sticky note pad. You'll need to get one to see what I mean. It's a simple but innovative packaging/user experience that would make Steve Jobs proud.

Give A Little Soul

Based on the price point and the number of topics, there is a Soul On The Go for everyone. If you are looking for a neat new way to stay motivated or focused or you know someone that could use a little encouragement, Soul On The Go will get you out of a rut and into action.

Put Some Soul In The Christmas Stockings

As Christmas is just a few weeks away, I think that Soul On The Go would make a great stocking stuffer. A great application of Soul On The Go is using it to transform New Year's resolutions into New Year's practice/action.

So there you have it. Soul On The Go can help move motivation into action, it's made in the USA and it's an environmentally friendly product. That's a lot to accomplish for such a pint-sized product.

Wayne Guitars Rock!!!!!!

2010-10-29T13:39:00.027-05:00

Wayne Guitars is a relatively "new" maker of electric guitars but owner and proprietor; Wayne Charvel is no novice when it comes to electric guitars.

In fact, Wayne is a legend to many of the world's best electric guitarists. If you know who Eddie Van Halen. Steve Vai, Jake E. Lee, Allen Holdsworth and Warren DiMartini are then you know guys that have played guitars made by Wayne Charvel. And if his guitars are good enough for these guys, then I think they are good enough for anyone.

So what makes Wayne Guitars so special? To start with, Wayne can draw on decades of experience when building each guitar and he has passed his knowledge down to his son Michael. As there are no shareholders or guys on Wall Street to keep happy with quarterly earnings, Wayne can provide a hand made, top-notch electric guitar at a price point that nearly none of his competitors can. For those that like seeing a behind the scenes view of a luthier at work, Wayne has some very cool videos on his site and on YouTube. You can also see his guitars in action there as well.

And for those that want a 100% custom-made once-in-a-lifetime guitar, Wayne can build it. You pick the body wood, pickups, bridge, electronics, neck radius, wood for neck and fingerboard, tuning pegs, knobs and what ever color or custom paint job you can dream up, and Wayne and Michael can bring it to life. Wayne’s son, Michael, does a lot of the finishing touches and when it comes to custom graphics, he is second to none – see some of the photos of his artwork below.

A beautiful AAAA maple top Wayne Exotic Rock Legend Guitar

Oh yeah, most importantly, Wayne Guitars play like a dream. And at the end of the day, all the rest is icing on the cake. The connection between the player's hand and the guitar’s neck and its “action” is where the magic comes from. This is where the emotion and feeling get translated into motion, sound and expression - this is where music is brought to life and is shared with the world - and Wayne and Michael get that. Building a musical instrument is as much about engineering and woodworking as it is about art and Wayne Guitars is a master of both.

Yup, that guitar is wrapped in real python - sorry snake lovers. But Michael can do an amazing airbrushed version that looks just like real snakeskin.

Wayne Guitars' Rock Legend Model

Some of Michael Charvel's paint work - a literal "flame top" on a Rock Legend model

For those that like it simple

Look at that finish! It may just make purple my new favorite color!

Michael Charvel creating another custom paint job - in leopard.

A beautiful tiger stripe finish.

So head to their site now - and maybe if you’re lucky, Santa will put a Wayne Guitar under your Christmas tree. And thanks to Wayne and Michael for the photos.

Admit Insights - College Admission Consulting for the 21st Century

2010-09-25T16:24:00.001-05:00

While most of the firms covered in this blog are involved in traditional manufacturing, the next company to be featured is not.

Admit Insights is a web-based college admissions consulting company that provides high quality, customized and actionable advice to high school students exploring their options for college via - www.AdmitInsights.com

Who created Admit Insights?

The founders of Admit Insights are some very bright and dedicated people; they include graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Harvard MBA, a Stanford MBA, executives at Fortune 500 companies and seasoned educational professionals.

The founders came together with a single goal "To advance the pursuit of post secondary school education by providing high quality, low cost, targeted college admissions advice to all". The founders felt strongly that high school students shouldn't need to pay thousands of dollars for a private admissions "consultant" in order to receive quality advice.

How does Admit Insights work?

Students log in and create an account.
Students populate their profile with their grades, standardized test scores as well as a host of other data that colleges look for in strong candidates.
Students select their top 5 schools.
Admit Insight's Admission Engine™ goes to work and starts analyzing the data the student has entered and comparing it with their target colleges. And in short order, the report is created and the student can immediately download it.

Students get a 14+ page report specific to their situation with personalized actionable advice on how to strengthen their profile and thereby increase their odds of getting into their "dream school" - and they have unlimited access through graduation.

Students can do "what-if" scenarios for upcoming grades and standardized test, thereby allowing them to forecast and plan their strategy.

All that for less than the price of an average video game and a 100% money back guarantee. Wow!

What makes Admit Insights so unique?

1.    Its Admission Engine™. Admit Insights developed its own proprietary algorithms, databases and engines. These proprietary algorithms and engines have been calibrated by those intimately familiar with colleges'  admission standards. Admit Insights constantly tunes its models and college databases to ensure the advice is accurate and relevant.

2.    No software to purchase or upgrade. Just go to the website using any web-browser. A student's profile and data are password protected and encrypted on Admit Insights server. Students (and parents) never need worry about data loss should their computer crash, get lost or stolen.

3.    Nationwide access 24/7. No matter where a student is located in the United States, they can easily access Admit Insights. This is advantageous for students in rural areas where resources and access to college admission advice and planning are limited.

4.     Students can continually update their data/profile as they progress through high school. New grades, new SAT/ACT scores, new classes – enter the new data to your profile and the Admission Engine™ recalibrate his or her score and profile.

5.    Students can forecast how they may do in future semesters by running "what-if" scenarios.

Start This School Year with Admit Insights and received a 15% discount! - Visit www.admitinsights.com/ and enter the code: "12Admit" at check out

I wish this had been around when I was trying to figure out where to go to college; it would have saved time, stress and money. But then again, when I was in high school the Internet as we know it didn't exist, telephones had cords, a laptop was the size of a small suitcase, a cell phone was the size of a 10lb dumbbell, music had just come out on CDs….and dinosaurs walked the earth………how technology is changing the world.

A.S. Tees - Great Tee Shirts Made In The U.S.A.!

2010-09-21T09:29:00.002-05:00

A while ago I received a marketing mailer from the good ole' United States Postal Service (USPS). The mailer targeted marketers and covered various capabilities that the USPS had in direct marketing that were also environmentally friendly. The USPS also had a short survey they asked recipients to compete. As an incentive/reward for completing the survey, I would get an organic cotton tee shirt.

Nice. But it's no iPad/iPod/iTouch/iPhone. As all good marketers know, you can get people to do just about anything by offering the chance to win any product with an "i" in front of its name from that little tech company in California that's named after the pomaceous fruit of the Malus domestica. Complete a survey, walk 10 yards through molten lava, swim across a river full of starved piranha with an exceptionally bad disposition, skydive without a parachute, climb Everest without oxygen, slather themselves with Stubb's BBQ sauce and enter a lion's den or the lair of the rainbow speckled north-eastern Mexican chupacabra…….you get the picture. But that is the topic for another post – perhaps.

Fast forward a week or two and the tee shirt arrived. It had the name of the USPS campaign emblazoned on the front as well as the USPS logo - nothing surprising there. What was surprising was when I went to check the shirt size the label said Made in USA!!!! I couldn't believe it! From my unscientific observation, every t-shirt that I have purchased over the past 5 years has come from all corners of the world except the USA. Moreover, this t-shirt was very well made and comfortable to boot. I immediately flipped the label to get the name of the company.........A.S. Tees.

I immediately started searching the Internet to find out more about A.S. Tees and to see if they had website. And it was pretty neat what I found on their website.

"A.S. Tees was formed in 1997 as a private label t-shirts manufacturer. Over the years, we have expanded our scope of operations to include distribution of our own line of products under the A.S. Tees label and manufacturing custom designs. Our primary goal, however, still remains the same- to make fantastic products at great prices, domestically. A.S. Tees strives to keep the manufacturing in the U.S. while staying competitive. Our garments are made in the Southeastern United States. Much of our production is achieved at A.S. Tees Manufacturing, our production facility in Salley, South Carolina."

A.S. Tees' employees are provided with a healthy work environment. Employees are provided with benefits such as retirement plans, paid vacations, and health and dental coverages. We feel that our satisfied employees help us deliver a quality and competitive product to our customers.

As a response for the need to better our earth, we are proud to introduce our new eco-friendly line. Make a difference for your future with what you wear today. Less pesticides, minimal water consumption, resilient bamboo plants, replace man-made fertilizers; these all come down to one factor, a healthier planet. You can help make a difference, too."

While A.S. Tees is a private label manufacturer, if your company or organization is in need of lots of t-shirts for a company event, trade show, product launch, employee give-a-ways, etc., you should give A.S. Tees serious consideration.

Below are just a fraction of the styles and colors they offer.

Wow! A.S. Tees actively attempts to make all of its products in the U.S.A., provides its employees with meaningful benefits and produce shirts made with minimal impact to the environment. Oh yeah, all that and the quality is great. What more could a patriotic shopper ask for? Nothing! So go buy some Tees from A.S. Tees now.

McIntosh Labs!! Consumer Electronics Still Made in USA! Yes, You Read That Right.

2010-09-13T12:55:00.002-05:00

Over the past 30 years, the US has seen its consumer electronics manufacturing capabilities all but disappear. Some of the most venerated American brands have been relegated to the dustbin and other once iconic names live on only through 3rd party licensing deals. And while there are numerous reasons for the near extinction of this sector of manufacturing; from foreign nations dumping products in the US below market cost, labor/management issues and a lack of political will, the company I'm about to profile has weathered trends and economic cycles for over 60 years and they are still going strong! Nestled in Binghamton, N.Y., meet McIntosh – and no, they are not part of, or affiliated with, Apple/Jobs et al.

“McIntosh makes the finest amplifier there is.” - Les Paul.

For those unfamiliar with Les Paul, he impacted literally every form of music you hear today. For starters, think of Jimmy Page, Slash, Jeff Beck and Al Di Meola. Odds are when you see them perform they are playing a Gibson Les Paul model solid body electric guitar. Other musicians that use the Les Paul include Alex Lifeson, Zakk Wylde, Pete Townshend, and even Paul McCartney. This legendary guitar was created by Les Paul and Ted McCarty, then the President of the Gibson Guitar Company. The Gibson Les Paul was one of the first solid body electric guitars and it has changed very little since the 1950’s when it was introduced.

How many products are revolutionary, then remain essentially unchanged and then become a standard in their realm? So you don’t listen to that loud rock n’ roll music? Well consider that literally every single recorded song in the last 50+ years has benefitted from Les’ innovations in multi-track recordings. So now you know about Les Paul - and why an endorsement coming from him carries the weight that it does.

So What Makes McIntosh Special – Other Than Being Made in The USA and Earning Les Paul’s Ringing Endorsement?

Well, think of McIntosh as the Buggati or Ferrari of audio - performance, innovation, endurance and a rich history. In fact, McIntosh has 35 U.S. Patents. Moreover, McIntosh is considered the "Holy Grail" of sound reproduction by audiophiles around the world. A large part of McIntosh’s legendary quality and performance comes from the fact that they do their own research and development. In addition to great R&D, all of their products are still made by hand in their Binghamton, N.Y., facility. McIntosh is the last remaining audio and home theater electronics company in the USA that maintains in-house product development/R&D and manufacturing right here in the USA without the use of subcontractors or outsourcing.

McIntosh makes a complete line of audio and video products that include video displays, source units, power amps, pre-amps, loudspeakers and car audio. Below are some photos of their products. But I would suggest going to one of their dealers, so that you can HEAR their products.

While McIntosh does not make a product for every market segment, there may not be a better company in the world making high-end audio and home theater systems. If you are a music and tone fanatic then you must check them out. And like most high-end manufactures they do not sell their products at “box stores”, rather they market their legendary products through a network of independent dealers.

If you are looking for proof that America can still design and BUILD world class audio and video products, look no further than McIntosh. The gold standard in audio electronics around the world – made right here in the USA.

Wow! Santa Cruz Guitars and McKinley Leather Still Make Their Products in the USA!

2010-08-24T14:43:00.188-05:00

As promised, this post will introduce two American firms that still make their products in the USA. I'm a proud and very staisified customer of both, so I figured, they should get the honor of being the first two companies profiled.

Santa Cruz Guitar Company

The first company that I will profile is the Santa Cruz Guitar Company. Santa Cruz makes some of the most amazing acoustic guitars in the world. All of their guitars are handmade in Santa Cruz, California. Founded, and still run, by Richard Hoover, Santa Cruz Guitars are played by some of the most respected and influential musicians in the world - Eric Clapton, Tony Rice, Gary Moore, Robert Plant, Doc Watson, Glen Frey, Dickey Betts, Otis Taylor and Jimmy Buffet - just to name a few. Richard and his master luthiers hand craft every guitar.

To quote Richard Hoover, "It's not easy to tell some of the world's best musicians that we simply don't supply anyone complimentary instruments to leverage an endorsement (ed. this is a very common practice in the music business). Surprisingly the response has been "that's cool, here are my specs, call when it's ready". That is the truest endorsement as to the sonic timbre and incredible playability of Santa Cruz acoustic guitars. Below you can see a few of Santa Cruz's new 1929 models.

And below is a beautiful example of the Santa Cruz D - one of their many versions of the uber successful "Dreadnaught" acoustic guitar design. This guitar is the workhorse of many folk, country, bluegrass and rock players due to its great balance, power, tone and dynamics.

I still find it amazing that after nearly 7 years of owning their "D" model, that every time I play it, I'm still astounded by its sound. How many products or instruments can keep on impressing an owner years after buying them? Well, my Santa Cruz D is still enchanting me.....but I do hear the melody of one with Brazilian Rosewood beckoning me........like a siren to a sailor.

McKinley American Leathercrafters

The second company I will profile is McKinley American Leathercrafters, a family owned manufacturer of high quality leather products.

I came across McKinley while looking for a new leather padfolio. I was absolutley determined not to buy a leather portfolio unless it was made in the USA. After doing a bunch of Googling I found McKinley. I went through their website and was impressed with their story (family owned and their factory is in the USA) and the look of their products. Sure enough, I located exactly what I was looking for - a leather padfolio in tan or cognac. But I had a few questions since I couldn't hold the product in my hand or see it person and I needed it super fast, so I pick up the phone and called McKinley. I spoke with Derrick and he was very helpful and made some good suggestions. In short McKinley's cutomer service was great and the padfolio arrived on time. When the padfolio arrived it surpassed my expectations. The quality and feel of the product is excellent as was the care it was packed and presented. I was very happy to find McKinley and that their shop is so well run. Below is the padfolio in a variety of colors offered by McKinley.

Now some readers of this blog may not be aware of the fact that many of the "up-scale" leather goods merchants/manufacturers no longer make their products in the USA. When I emailed two of the better known companies to find out where their portfolios are made, I was informed by one that their portfolios were made in China and the other maker said they "source" from multiple countries - but not the USA. But here's an interesting fact. Both of these companies moved the bulk, if not all, of their manufacturing offshore and yet they charge the same or more for their products than does McKinley.

Now I'm not a Nobel Prize winner in economics and I didn't go to Wharton or Harvard for an MBA but it struck me that despite manufacturing overseas these two high-end purveyors could not (or didn't care to) be competitive on pricing with a firm manufacturing the same goods in the USA. Labor is pennies on the dollar in China, India and Pakistan compared to the USA. Moreover, any theoretical savings in manufacturing overseas does not seem to trickle back to the US consumer or, based on these two firm's stock performance, to their shareholders (both firms are publicly traded). The questions that beg to be answered is that if outsourcing is done to stay "competitive", then why do their products cost more? And if they are concerned about "shareholder" value, then why have both stocks underperformed the market and do not have a history of issuing increasingly robust dividends? Hmmm...

So if you are looking for high quality leather goods such as portfolios, journals, organizers, binders, padfolios, planners, business cases, photo albums or scrapbooks - that are made in the good ole' USofA - as a nice bonus - visit McKinley's website or give them a call - I did. And I can heartily recommend them.

Reagan insider: GOP Destroyed Economy - Paul B. Farrell - MarketWatch

2010-08-14T22:02:00.004-05:00

This is an extremely interesting read due to David Stockman's CV and his analysis of how the U.S. economy went off the tracks. And having read Paul Farrell's column for years, he is pretty evenhanded in his view of things. So let's go....

Please note, this site is neither pro-Republican nor anti-Democrat nor vice versa. There is plenty of blame to lay at the feet of both parties.

But what do I know? I went to a state university and write a blog. So don't listen to me. However, you may want to read the words of America's first President on the topic of parties. Below is a section of President George Washington's Farewell Address in 1796 that warns about political parties:

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another."

"However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

Now onward to the article.

By Paul B. Farrell, MarketWatch

Aug. 10, 2010, 12:45 a.m. EDT

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- "How my G.O.P. destroyed the U.S. economy." Yes, that is exactly what David Stockman, President Ronald Reagan's director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a recent New York Times op-ed piece, "Four Deformations of the Apocalypse."

Get it? Not "destroying." The GOP has already "destroyed" the U.S. economy, setting up an "American Apocalypse."

But why focus on Stockman's message? It's already lost in the 24/7 news cycle. Why? We need some introspection. Ask yourself: How did the great nation of America lose its moral compass and drift so far off course, to where our very survival is threatened?Yes, Stockman is equally damning of the Democrats' Keynesian policies. But what this indictment by a party insider -- someone so close to the development of the Reaganomics ideology -- says about America, helps all of us better understand how America's toxic partisan-politics "holy war" is destroying not just the economy and capitalism, but the America dream. And unless this war stops soon, both parties will succeed in their collective death wish.

We've arrived at a historic turning point as a nation that no longer needs outside enemies to destroy us, we are committing suicide. Democracy. Capitalism. The American dream. All dying. Why? Because of the economic decisions of the GOP the past 40 years, says this leading Reagan Republican.

Please listen with an open mind, no matter your party affiliation: This makes for a powerful history lesson, because it exposes how both parties are responsible for destroying the U.S. economy. Listen closely: Click here to read the entire story.

Thank You Andy Grove!

2010-07-27T12:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my shameless and grossly slanted blog about America's decline as a leader in manufacturing. I don't like it. And if you don't either then you came to the right place. If you are indifferent or do not believe the decline in manufacturing is a significant problem, the information in this blog may just change your perspective. The bottom-line is that the loss of manufacturing jobs and related infrastructure are a threat to our economy, social stability and national security. But don't take my word for it - further below are some of the "Titans" of American industry and their view of the situation.

In the July 1, 2010 edition of BloombergBusinessWeek, Andy Grove, the former Chairman and CEO of Intel penned a great commentary How America Can Create Jobs. While Mr. Grove outlines a well structured and multi-faceted plan to create more quality jobs in America, the stark reality of why we need to create jobs in the good ole' USofA is because for the past twenty-five years American corporations have moved significant amounts of production and knowledge capital overseas for a variety of reasons.

And what do other leaders of industry, besides Mr. Grove, think? BloombergBusinessWeek's Can the Future be Built in America article states that: "At a National Business Summit panel in Detroit in mid-June (2009), Dow Chemical (DOW) CEO Andrew N. Liveris and Ford Motor (F) Executive Chairman William Clay Ford Jr. both openly called for "industrial policy," a term not heard much since the U.S. was under siege from Japanese cars, chips, and steel in the early 1980s. General Electric (GE) CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt declared that GE had probably gone too far in outsourcing manufacturing, engineering, and back-office service work and lambasted as "flat wrong" the notion that the U.S. could remain an economic superpower by relying on services and consumer buying."

As a direct result of this long-term exodus of production, America has lost hundreds of thousands of manufacturing positions and perhaps even the ability for American start-up firms to scale their operations here. Moreover, loss of manufacturing erases the hands on experience, knowledge capital and collective know how that is not easily replaced or replenished quickly.

So now what?

This blog will look to tackle this issue from two angles. First, companies that manufacture a majority of their products here in the United States should be highlighted and given kudos especially if they were the inventors, are market leaders or have a reputation for outstanding quality. Second, this blog can serve as a brainstorming/best practice resource for increasing manufacturing excellence and related jobs in the United States.

So what can readers of this blog do besides reading it? Participate in the discussion and solution. Do you know of a great product that is made in the USA that perhaps the American consumer isn't aware of? Is there a great product still made in the USA but facing possible extinction due to imports or lack of distributor awareness? What about American companies that manufacture goods for B2B and not consumers? Send the info and it will get posted!

My next post will cover two American companies that make great products by hand. While they are in different industries, they are succeeding at what they do - making great products here in the USA. And you should know about them.