“Made in the USA” is a big deal for a lot of people. It is especially important when dealing with a high end product like interior plantation shutters. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize there are American made shutter companies thatoffer some of the best products on the market.
American Made Shutters
When talking about interior plantation shutters there are not a whole lot of quality American made shutters to choose from. Show-Case Shutters, based in Virginia, is one of the few exceptions. The company has turnedout quality American made shutters for nearly 20 years.
Considering the company survived the great recession without compromising the product – it shows there are American made shutters that can be trusted. In fact, the company guarantees they will price beat any comparable product!
In the central part of the country, another quality American made shutter comes from Kirtz Shutters. Based in Oklahoma, this company also survived the test of time as proof of their quality.
Shutters NOT Made in America
The fact is, most of your major shutter brands are not American made shutters. A fact those companies do not spend a lot of time talking about.
For example Graber shutters are, in part, assembled in the United States. However, they are not American made shutters. Theirproduct comes from Mexicowhere labor costs are a fraction of the cost in the US.
Another top brand, Norman Shutters, are also not American made shutters. This product, while a solid product, is manufactured in China.
The main exception is Hunter Douglas. However, while they do offer American made shutters, you should know they contract their work to third party regional manufacturers. While you are paying big money for the brand your product is coming from a smaller company that you likely have never heard of.
“So what”, you say? While I am in no way suggesting the product is not quality, the fact is you are basically paying a premium price for a name. There are plenty of competitors that have as good, or better, product lines.
Made in America vs. Assembled in America
There are all sorts of slick websites out there that infer they offer American-made shutters when in reality the product is just assembled stateside.
While I am not going to name these companies off, while doing your research ensure that you get your sales rep to distinguish between the two – if American-made is a big deal to you.
Two national shutter sites that offer American-made shutters are Horizon Shutters and Plantation Shutters Near Me. Both companies work with a “Made in America” product. Show-Case Shuttersis their company of choice because of their commitment to quality and the local economy.
Why Does it Matter?
Why should people care about American made shutters? A number of reasons make this decision an easy one for customers all over the country.
First, buying American made shutters supports your neighbors. Take ShowCase Shutters for example. The company employs more than a dozen Americans. They purchase their parts from All American Components – which is based in Indiana.
“Are you going to support China or your own country?”, said AAC owner, Bill Featherston.
Featherston, who used to run his operation from China, moved itto Indiana after watching,first hand, the shady tactics of the Chinese government
AAC employs about 25Americans in Indiana. The products AAC manufactures use wood from several states including Wisconsin and Kentucky.
It is a far cry from the Chinese, who Featherston said, uses wood almost exclusively from Russia. Most of it illegal.
“I’d say more than 50% of it is black market,” said Featherston.
“I’ve actually seen money in suitcases exchanged.”
Featherston is hoping that playing field changes as the Trump-administration takes charge.
“Everything they do, they copy us and make it cheaper. Why would anyone do business with China?”
