There are many reasons to prefer merchandise that is made in the USA – patriotism; opposition to foreign standards on low wages and poor working conditions; support of domestic jobs – but the one I like the best is the quality of US-made goods over that of many overseas manufacturers.  And when a corporation adds their logo to an item that will be distributed as a way to increase brand awareness, that company wants to know the quality of that product reflects the quality of their brand.

Americans recognize the competitive advantage of American-made goods, and are not settling for just the cheapest product anymore.   Added to the fact that the cost competitiveness of US manufacturing has begun to take off, while the rising labor costs in China erode their cost advantage, USA-made merchandise becomes not only a choice that’s good for the corporate conscience, but is also a practical decision for the budget-minded.

As for the quality of those goods – the high US manufacturing standards and strong employee attitudes around pride in the quality of their work, contribute to the product excellence buyers are looking for.  According to the Boston Consulting Group, 80% of consumers surveyed said they would be willing to pay more for “made in USA” products than those with a “made in China” label.  Not surprisingly, BCG goes on to report that 82% of Chinese say they “agree” or “strongly agree” that they feel better about Made in USA quality.  Made in USA has come to represent old world craftsmanship and socially responsible values.

But once convinced that the quality and price for USA-made goods make it an attractive choice for corporate logo products, it’s good to know the types of merchandise that are easily sourced and readily available for timely shipping.  After all, very few corporate event planners consider their giveaway sooner than a few weeks prior to the need date.  I have listed below a few of the most common promotional items in the Made in USA category.

• Items made from recycled materials:  drinkware, flyers, ice scrapers, bag clips
• T-shirts
• Pens
• Tote bags
• Key tags
• Ceramic mugs
• Mouse pads
• Calendars
• Lip balm

When considering your next promotional product, consider the quality of USA-made merchandise.  Your customers will notice!