At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, America realized just how much the dependence on overseas manufacturing comes at a high cost. With the recently imposed tariffs on Chinese imports and manufacturing cost changes, many Americans have suffered from delayed shipping and difficult product sourcing on account of relying on imported goods.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Global Supply Chain and Fractured Relations Between the USA and China

The pandemic caused a huge breakdown in the supply chain and fractured relations between the USA and China. This made it difficult for companies to produce products and to know whether these products were deemed essential or not.  To add to this obstacle, shipping products to warehouses and customers proved to be an issue. Because of transport costs and delays, manufacturers had to order much larger volumes at once to fill complete containers and to keep their manufacturing running.  It is not unusual for companies to order a six- or 12-month supply at once.

Due to transport costs and shipping delays, companies realized that domestic products had fewer supply chain issues and the customers they serve were less affected. This realization led to the reignited interest in domestic products.  According to a Reuters survey, “70 percent of Americans think it is “very important” or “somewhat important” to buy U.S.-made products.”

Here at US Metal Crafters, we have always believed in the value of American-made products and manufacturing. We believe American-made products are the priority, and companies that invest in domestic products experience fewer supply chain disruptions, allowing their customers to feel little effect.

We give the customers something to rely on with American-made metal fabrication and place importance on “American made” for our brand. By doing this, we are constantly ensuring that our products are quality, reliable, traceable, and dependable.

Quality

American-made products offer consistent, reliable quality because manufacturers have direct oversight of materials and production processes. Domestic producers follow strict standards, ensuring durability and dependable performance. With teams close to home, issues are resolved quickly and products are built with care and precision. At US Metal Crafters, this commitment to quality is at the core of every project.

Reliability

Products are easier to restock if made in America because manufacturers do not have to rely on long shipping times and costly rates. Shipping in a container from Europe or China can add months to the delivery time. Over the last 5-6 years, the cost to bring a container in from Europe has risen from around $5,000 to closer to $25,000. And they must pay upfront.  With a US vendor, they can often order on a month-by-month basis.

A big part of the equation for customers is delivery. At US Metal Crafters, we know that making the product is only one part of manufacturing, and lead time is a factor in managing complex supply chains.

Traceability

Should there ever be a concern, we can trace back to the source and figure out a fix quickly. As an American manufacturer, US Metal Crafters finds it easier to maintain relationships throughout the supply chain and provide an incredible guarantee on all projects.

Why American-Made Manufacturing Matters More Than Ever

American businesses and workers are the backbone of our nation, and keeping manufacturing here helps maintain our economic independence. So, when you buy or support American-made products, you are supporting the recovery of manufacturing, which yields economic and job recovery.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that American-made is valuable and matters.  US Metal Crafters will continue to create value in American-made manufacturing and metal fabrication through quality, reliability, and traceability.

If American-made also matters to you, contact us.