It’s been interesting to hear how the reaction to the fact that we make our products in California has changed since 2009. Initially, it wasn’t surprising because we were really small and just selling things at booths in local design street fairs. Folks weren’t expecting these things to be coming in on container ships.
Over the next few years, people got used to the fact that more and more of their products were made abroad. So folks seemed to find it refreshing to hear that we still made SlimFold wallets in USA.
Recently, with the rise of Amazon, private labeling, and drop-shipping, more and more small companies have been importing their products. And the reaction from other business owners and some new customers to the fact that we don’t has been one of genuine surprise and confusion. The first thing they say is, "Why?”
So I thought I’d reflect on that a bit and explore just a few of the reasons that companies make things locally...
Marketing
For many companies the answer begins and ends with marketing. They want to be able to say they make their products in a particular place and try to make the economics work. For leather handbags to say they’re made in Italy, companies have gone so far as to make their products in China but not connect the handle to the bag. Then this “final assembly step” which technically defines its origin is done in Italy, along with sewing in the “Made in Italy” tag.
Product Quality
While I am proud that my products are made in the USA, the fact that they’re made here has a bit more to do with the organic nature of how I partner with local shops to bring my products to life.
I tend to solve design problems by applying advanced production techniques and I’m continually amazed by the local companies I discover who have the equipment I’m looking for and the expertise to get amazing results with it. In this way, the product design and quality is usually enhanced by this collaboration with the actual makers.
By integrating these local companies into the late stages of prototyping, and often using the same providers for both prototyping and production, the transition into manufacturing is seamless and quality remains high.
Contributing to the Local Economy
For whatever reason, most of the companies I end up working with are Father-son teams… or in one case, a daughter who became the CEO. But I don’t see it as doing any favors for these companies. Instead, they’re almost extensions of my team who I depend on at least as much if not more than they depend on me.
Is it important to you?
One of the reasons I’ve begun to think about this more is based on customer feedback. There are some customers who would rather pay a lower price, so interpret the fact that we make our products in California as a needless extra expense for them. I can understand this and also wish more folks would be able to afford and enjoy what we make.
As it stands now, making these products locally is integral to the design process and location of the labor can’t be substituted 1:1. So the existence of the products is an extension of the design process, which happens to take place in California. More like growing grapes for a wine in a particular place than the formula for coke which can be made anywhere.
That’s not to say it would be impossible to transplant our process and manufacturing somewhere else, but we’re currently focusing our efforts on developing new products instead.
So that’s my current thinking on why we make stuff here. Just like I don’t see myself as doing any favors for our local partners by making our products here, I hope you can also see the value in the products we create regardless of where they’re made.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic in your comments below….
I think it’s fantastic that your products are made right here in the good ol USA. Too may American businesses are opting to go to other countries for cheaper overhead. However for me I look for products made in the USA first before buying anything that’s not made here. Keep up the great work and commitment to quality.
It seems that being made in the USA is part of your brand story, and enables greater product design efficiency. If one day it doesn’t, I would consider outsourcing.
I get no moral benefit with the “made local” idea—make it where it makes sense, but I think it’s just as moral to support people with jobs in China or here. I also think the association of overseas manufacturing with low quality will continue to erode as the US invests less and less in their own quality manufacturing and other nations invest more—I have a friend who just produced a soft good through Kickstarter and though he’s making it in the US for the exact same process reason as you do, his experience was that Chinese manufacturers were more flexible, more technologically advanced and of course, less expensive. That’s my n=1 example of course.
Still, as the happy owner of one of your wallets, I’m satisfied with the product. How you want to make it is up to you.
i live in melbourne australia and one of the reasons i bought one of your wallets was you made it in the usa – congratulations – it’s a great wallet.
i respect companies who make things locally rather than just making it in low wage countries
i wish we did that more in australia
Dave,
As a California manufacturer myself, I bought my Micro Tyvek wallet BECAUSE it was made locally. I consider it an added bonus that it is easily the best, most practical wallet I’ve ever owned. Raise the price if you need to, but please don’t change where they are made!!!
Jeff McWhinney
McWhinney Designs
I love my Original Soft Shell wallet. If something ever happened to it I would immediately buy another one. All of the reasons you listed to keep making the wallet in California are important to me. Please continue to do so and you will continue to have my unquestioning business for life.