In the Powerenz shop in Georgia, USA, all of the tools and the majority of the components that are used to design and assemble portable solar power systems are manufactured in the USA. On occasion, we must use a product that is manufactured outside of the USA because:
we are unable to find the correct product in the States,
the USA-made product is so expensive that it would make it impossible to sell our system,
there are lengthy delays in delivery from a manufacturer in the USA,
there is poor customer service at a manufacturer in the USA, and rarely
a USA-made part is of poor quality.
Buying products that are designed, manufactured, assembled, and packaged in the USA is important for many reasons, including the support of the American economy, and the support and creation of jobs. There are many American workers who are unable to work right now due to the Corona virus pandemic, so to support the American economy right now is especially critical. Buying products that are made in the U.S.A. secures the future of businesses within our country, and puts our hard-earned money back to work in America.
During this time of economic strain caused by the Corona virus pandemic, and the fact that so many small and medium size businesses have stopped working, one would think it especially important to support American businesses. If one does their research, nearly every product known to man can be found in the USA. In our experience, if two similar products are available, one made in the USA, and one made elsewhere, the product that is made in the USA is generally at least as good as the product that is manufactured elsewhere, though possibly more expensive. Clearly, shipping from overseas is more expensive and difficult than shipping from within the USA, and there are the usual issues with Customs to consider, like delays and import taxes. Important considerations when buying products that are made domestically include:
When you choose to buy in the USA, you contribute to the payment of an honest day’s wage for an honest day’s work to your fellow citizens. The USA is a country that has regulated wages, unlike many of those abroad. The more USA-made products you buy, the more the economy is stimulated, and that results in the creation and preservation of more jobs.
Avoiding imported products strengthens the independence of America’s economy, rather than looking to other countries for support. To utilize our own resources, including our workforce, brings more business to our country which then continues to grow industrially.
In the USA, laws are in place to protect consumers, and to ensure the production of safe, quality products by all manufacturers. Products that are made in the USA are developed under strict regulations and undergo rigorous testing in order to guarantee certain standards. These types of regulations also apply to labor standards, which can be lower in some foreign countries. Unsafe working conditions are tolerated in some countries, including those for children. Purchasing locally eliminates the support of those practices. On the downside, the additional laws and regulations in the USA result in processes that are expensive in time and money, and they definitely play a role in increasing the costs of many products that are made in the USA.
Buying products that are manufactured overseas requires additional transportation to get them to the USA, usually across an ocean. Unnecessary transportation wastes large amounts of fossil fuels, producing unnecessary emissions and pollution. Some products that are produced overseas are manufactured using unsafe, unregulated, possibly heavily-polluting processes and chemicals. Many of the manufacturing processes in the USA are cleaner for the environment, and healthier for the consumers.
Buying USA-made products secures future American businesses and creates and keeps new jobs to allow Americans to provide for themselves and their families. When one purchases domestically, one helps to sustain and strengthen our economy for generations to come.
