These 5 small businesses all make their products in the U.S. and are committed to keeping things that way, despite the lure of outsourcing.
Blue jeans are an American classic, but they're rarely made in America anymore.
A big exception: Round House Manufacturing, which makes blue jeans, denim overalls, and denim kids' clothing in the same railroad town where it started 110 years ago. That makes it the oldest operating manufacturer in Oklahoma, according to owner David Antosh.
Antosh's grandfather bought Round House in 1964, when it was making denim overalls for railroad workers and khakis for U.S. soldiers. His father took over the business in the 1970s, expanding the product line to jackets and bellbottoms. "But we still kept everything made in America," said Antosh. "We take great pride in that."
Its cotton comes from Texas and North Carolina, zippers and buttons come from Georgia, and no component is imported, he said. The average price of Round House jeans: $30.
"People ask how we keep our prices so reasonable," said Antosh. "We have very experienced and productive employees who work really fast and make products very quickly."
Today, Round House supplies its denim wear to Wal-Mart (WMT), army surplus, industrial and farm supplies stores nationwide. Lately, its biggest fans are overseas, specifically in Japan, where Round House overalls are considered high fashion. Thanks to that demand, the company is considering adding a third plant, Antosh said.