Made Here, Made Strong: Why U.S. Manufacturing Matters More Than Ever
In the era of global supply chains and overnight shipping, it is easy to forget the backbone of America’s economic strength- manufacturing. From the steel that builds our bridges to the precision-engineering parts that power our cars, U.S. manufacturing isn’t just about making products. It is about jobs, innovation, security, and community resilience.
Crystal Falls, Michigan. Location of Magiglide Closets Manufacturing Plant
Today, there’s a growing movement to bring production back home-and the reasons go far beyond patriotism.
Economic Strength & Good Jobs
Manufacturing supports over 12 millions jobs in the United States, often with wages and benefits about the national average. When companies make goods here, they’re not only paying American workers-they’re also supporting a vast network of local suppliers, transportation companies and service providers.
Local Impact: Every manufacturing job supports an estimated 3-5 additional jobs in related industries.
Upward Mobility: Manufacturing careers often provide clear pathways for skill development and long-term advancement.
2. Innovation at Home
The U.S. is a leader in advanced manufacturing technologies-from robotics to additive manufacturing (3D printing). When production happens here, research and development stay here too, accelerating innovation and keeping American industries competitive with others.
Proximity to R & D: Manufacturing and innovation feed each other-when engineers and production teams collaborate on-site, new ideas move from prototype to market much faster.
Protecting IP: Producing domestically helps safeguard agains intellectual property theft, a growing and concerning risk in some overseas markets.
3. Supply Chain Security
Recent years have made it clear: overreliance on overseas manufacturing can leave companies and consumers vulnerable. Port delays, geopolitial tensions, and pandemics have disrupted global supply chains.
Resilience: Domestic production shortens supply chains and reduces dependency on volatile international logistics.
National Security: For critical goods- like defense equipment, medical devices, and energy infrastructure-domestic production isn’t optional; it’s essential.
4. Environmental Responsibility
While manufacturing anywhere has an environmental footprint, US facilities must comply with some of the strictest environmental and safety regulations in the world.
Lower shipping emissions: Producing goods closer to where they’re sold means fewer freight miles and reduced carbon output.
Cleaner production: Advanced American factories often use more efficient, lower-emission processes compared to facilities in less—regulated countries.
5. Community Building
Manufacturing plants often serve the economic hear of their communities, funding schools through local taxes, sponsoring events, and fostering civic pride.
Revitalization: In areas hit by economic decline, new manufacturing facilities can spark growth and stability.
Identity: “Made in USA” isn’t just a label-it’s a shared story of craftsmanship and quality.
Conclusion
Manufacturing in the USA is more than a business decision-it’s an investment in people, innovation, security, and sustainability. By suporting American'-made goods, whether as consumers, businesses, or policymakers, we help ensure that the foundation of our economy remains strong, adaptable, and proud.
🇺🇸 Because when we make it here, we make it stronger. 🇺🇸
How does Landquist & Son fit into the above topics in terms of why it is important to purchase from a US based manufacturer?
Economic Strength and Good Jobs
Landquist and Son provides job opportunities for those based near our corporate office on the south side of Chicago, as well as at our manufacturing plant located in Crystal Falls, Michigan. Many employees are what we like to call “legacy” employees. Our grandfathers worked together when the business began over 60 years ago, and the tradition continues. One thing that hasn’t changed since the beginning, all of our employees do NOT pay for insurance. The company believes in treating our employees right, supporting them in the good and the bad, but also making sure that they are taken care of health wise.
Innovation at Home
Constant updating, research and test runs are being ran with our company. We come up with an idea, research it and begin with a prototype. From cerfing of the closet doors for an added edge of style, to pushing the limitations of the sizes of doors we offer. . .it is always being worked on. The reason, is because of the open relationship with our manufacturing plant and corporate office. We are equals.
Supply Chain Security
During a time as tumultuous as this last year has been, we are more than proud to say we are almost 100% manufactured but also SOURCED near our manufacturing plant. This means that we are not directly affected with this supply chain access cut off, or a direct rise of tariffs. The largest purchase of sourced materials is the particleboard for what our doors are made out of. The plant we purchase board from is less than 300 miles in the US. The trees to make the board are sourced within 70 miles of the wood mill. The trees taken for the recycled content of particleboard are off shoot wood that wasn’t used for other solid wood types as well as those trees that are diseased or falling down.
Environmental Responsibility
While other manufacturers may be trying to save money by having employees from third world countries do their hard labor, we believe in staying here in America. The rules and regulations in terms of environmental protections are strong in the US. It is much safer to have these regulations when you are dealing with the cutting wood products, like we do. As seen in the picture, we have a state of the art dust collection machine, to ensure the safety of the employees.
Community Building
Magiglide manufacturing plant has been a staple in the community of Crystal Falls for over 60 years. With a population of 1,600 people, our manufacturing plant provides a great place to work, a place where you know what you will get when you walk into work in the morning, a place that will provide you and all of your family FREE healthcare, a place that has legacy employees. A sense of pride is what you receive when you claim that you are one of the staples of Magiglide in Michigan.
