At Garreco, we’re proud to manufacture all of our high-quality gypsum and plaster products right here in the USA since 1988. All of our dental stones are made with high-quality raw materials sourced from Oklahoma and manufactured at our facility in Heber Springs, Arkansas. For us, it’s not just about being part of a marketing campaign. Manufacturing quality products made in the USA is part of who we are as a company.

According to a report in 2015 by Consumer Reports, 80% of shoppers in the US say they actually prefer to buy products made in the USA. More than 60% of shoppers say they’d even be willing to pay 10% more for a product if it was made in the USA. There are tons of economic and social benefits to buying products made in the USA. Here are our top 5:

Top 5 Reasons to Buy Products Made in the USA:

#1 – Provides Jobs for Future Generations of Americans

Manufacturing in the United States means guaranteed jobs for thousands of people. The more money that is invested by purchasing USA-made products, the more money that will get put back into manufacturing USA-made goods. This is the best way to help the US manufacturing sector continue to grow. By growing the manufacturing sector, more jobs will be created that in turn, will push more money back into the US economy. Creating demand for USA-made products means that more people will need to create those USA-made products.

#2 – Helps to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Due to advancing technologies, US manufacturers are able to lean toward cleaner, renewable, and eco-friendly manufacturing practices. By investing in USA-made products, we can be sure that we are doing our part to contribute to a cleaner environment for our generation and generations to come. In addition, products sold here that not manufactured in the United States have to be shipped overseas.  Ultimately, the fuel and other chemical offshoots from this travel can impact the environment in a negative manner. If you choose to purchase a product made in the US, know that the product you’re purchasing will not travel nearly as far and will, therefore, make less of an impact on the environment.

#3 – Supports Safe and Fair Working Conditions

US manufacturing is controlled by federal and local governments who control working conditions and standards and ensure that minimum wages are paid to employees and proper laws are upheld in accordance to US Labor Laws. When goods are imported from abroad, we have no control over the working conditions in those manufacturing facilities. In some cases, foreign made products may be produced in sweatshops in third-world countries. By purchasing these products produced in sweatshops, you are helping to support these violations against workers abroad. Help out your fellow Americans by looking for products that are made in the USA.

#4 – Helps to Support US Economy

No matter which side you fall politically, the US has a trade deficit that needs to be addressed and eliminated. By spending your money on products made in the USA, you are helping to boost the US economy which in turn will help to reduce our deficit.

#5 – Ensures Safer, Better Quality Products

When we think of products that are “Made in the USA” we think of generally think of quality, excellent craftsmanship, and safety. Continuing to use foreign imports gives no guarantee of the product’s quality and longevity. Often the price for a US-made product is higher than a competing foreign-made product but the cost-per-use is actually often lower since the quality of the US-made product is often far better and will last longer than a foreign-made alternative.

It probably isn’t possible for everything you buy to be made in the US. Some types of goods are harder to find than others, and sometimes you simply have to make cost and quality your top priorities. But when it comes to a choice between two products that are evenly matched in most ways, choosing the one that’s made in the USA is one small way for you to support American workers and help our economy grow.

Why do you buy USA-made goods? What are your favorite USA-made brands? Share with us in the comments below.