American Giant. made in U.S.A., American made

American Giant is an apparel retailer that manufactures all products in the U.S.A. and this year, the company is celebrating its workers and all people who work in factories across America. Throughout July, the company plans to feature individuals and tell their stories to pay homage to American manufacturing as one of the great elements of our country.

Celebrating America’s factory workers

“We’ve always had a strong belief that we should make patriotic clothing right here in the US. Every year since we started, we make an American-made version of the beloved July 4th tee,” said Bayard Winthrop, founder and CEO of American Giant. The company went on tour and interviewed the men and women on the factory floor about their jobs and craft. “This year, we wanted to take it a step further. It’s not just about the tee, and it’s not just about us. There are so many amazing stories of people manufacturing products across the nation, and we really wanted to celebrate those people and businesses,” said Winthrop.

Customer response has been incredible, according to the company, which stated that the American Made tee has already sold out a few times. The customer service team received emails from customers thanking American Giant for supporting the manufacturing industry. “It’s anecdotal, but it’s energizing to see the respect and appreciation folks have for people making things in America,” exclaimed Winthrop. The company stated that demand for its products remains strong. “We were particularly amazed by the response to this latest launch of American-Made tees. There seems to be a brewing and growing interest in products made in the US, and that’s really exciting,” said Winthrop.

Manufacturing in the U.S.

At first blush, there seems to be a practical business reason for manufacturing locally, discussed Winthrop, adding, “Over the past few years, things we’ve taken for granted like medicine, cars, electronics, clothes, and other goods, aren’t readily available, completely disrupted by the supply chain mess from the pandemic.” Many companies have turned to offshore production of goods, moving manufacturing out of America. “Offshoring eliminates jobs and causes companies to lose control over the standards and conditions in their supply chains,” said Winthrop. When goods are made in the U.S., companies can better guarantee high-quality products are made ethically. “You’re supporting local economies, creating valuable jobs for folks, and helping communities stay connected and thrive,” Winthrop explained.

Global supply chain meltdown

When the global supply chain collapsed during the pandemic, it was a mess for many companies but specifically for ones that had moved to offshore production. American Giant made the decision when the company was founded to create products in the U.S. “We believe that by manufacturing locally, we can produce the best quality products, and it makes our business more resilient. Our tees come from the Carolinas, so they don’t need to go in a shipping container,” said Winthrop. He discussed how it is much easier for the company to respond to consumer demand and absorb supply chain shocks, giving it a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Consumers want products made in America

Policymakers, brands, retailers, and consumers are awakening to the idea that we should make things here. “As the years go on, consumers continue to tell us that they care about brand values. And now, there seems to be a heightened interest in how things are made and where. That’s encouraging to me,” said Winthrop.