Buy American Mention of the Week
by
This week’s mention goes to Dan River, Inc. Dan River is a
sheet and fabric maker headquartered in Danville, VA. On December 13, the
company announced they were closing two plants in the U.S. and transferring
operations to other locations. Where are they transferring the jobs to? Right
here in America!
It’s certainly no secret that American companies producing
here and employing their own people are under intense pressure to cut costs.
Not only higher labor costs, but more costly government-mandated regulations
are responsible for pushing many American jobs offshore.
The plant closures will cost 400 jobs initially, but 200
other workers will be hired due to the reshuffling. While we do not applaud
the net loss of 200 jobs, we tend to understand the situation we find ourselves
in due to our governments trade policies. Normally when you hear of plant
closings in America, you also hear the work is being relocated to China or
some other low-wage country.
But Dan River is relocating their operations from
Greenville, S.C. to a more efficient factory in Danville, Va. Work from
another plant in Newnan, GA will be moved to Sevierville, TN, where that plant
will continue to make children’s sheets featuring Batman, Barbie, and other
children’s favorites. The moves will save the company over $6 million a year.
So if there is a child on your Christmas list that likes
Barbie or Batman, you’ll know to look for Dan River sheets with that good old
made in USA label on them. And who knows? Armed with this knowledge, if enough
of us shun the Chinese imports for the American made variety, we can get those
200 jobs and more back online! Patriotism really is in the proof of purchase.
Roger Simmermaker, Author
How Americans Can Buy American
www.howtobuyamerican.com