Expansion Management

Ford, GM, Walmart Win Made in the USA Awards

July 8, 2014

The awards, which exemplify excellence in domestic manufacturing processes and products, honor "companies that are shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing," the group said.

Adrienne Selko

As part of Made in USA Foundation’s 2014 Hall of Fame Winners, Walmart won an award for ‘Coming Back to America’ for its $250 billion program to source American-made goods, the group announed on July 8.

The awards, which exemplify excellence in domestic manufacturing processes and products, honor "companies that are shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing," the group said.

General Motors won two awards for best luxury cars, Cadillac (CTS, ATS and ELR) and best sports car, Chevy Corvette. Ford won the truck award for the F-150 for its new dynamic aluminum body.

Other Detroit winners include: Weathertech Car Mats, Shinola Watches and Element Television, the only U.S. manufacturer of flat-screen televisions.

Boston Consulting Group won an award for its reports promoting Made in the USA manufacturing.

Six established companies who stayed in the USA even though their competition fled the country were honored with awards and they include:

PING is a family-owned company founded in 1959 in the garage of Karsten Solheim.Abo
BUNN was founded in 1957 and developed the first paper coffee filter for commercial use.
Seventh Generation was founded in 1988 by Jeffrey Hollender and makes environmental conscious cleaning products.
Libman was founded as a broom manufacturer in 1896.
Peterboro has been making baskets in New Hampshire for 160 years, since 1854.
The Alden Shoe Company was founded in 1884 by Charles H. Alden in Middleborough, Massachusetts.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.