The United States has a proud, rich culture of manufacturing and exportation, spawning some of the world’s most iconic brands. However, for various reasons, many of these brands have moved out of the country. Here are 18 American products that are no longer manufactured in the USA.
Levi’s Jeans
One of the United States’ most iconic brands, Levi Strauss & Co., has been supplying the country with clothing for over 170 years. However, in 2003, the company began outsourcing its manufacturing to Latin America and Asia. They are now made in a variety of countries, including Egypt, India, and Vietnam.
Apple iPhones
Despite currently being the most famous American product on the market, Apple outsources the production of its iPhones to China, which has caused a great deal of controversy over the years. CNN suggests that the California-based company is looking to move its manufacturing away from China, but this could take years.
Gerber Baby Food
Gerber was founded in 1927 in Michigan and operated out of the area for 67 years before merging with a Swiss pharmaceutical company in 1994. The company has been operating outside of the US ever since, with some of its products being made in China, just like many on this list.
Converse Shoes
One of the most iconic popular clothing items to come out of the US, Converse shoes were originally made in the US, founded and made in Massachusetts in 1908! However, a dip in demand in 2001 caused the company to move its manufacturing to Indonesia, helping it to save costs and stay afloat.
Dell Computers
Dell took less than a decade to become one of the leading brands in PC manufacturing and one of the richest brands in the world. This prompted Dell to move manufacturing out of the USA and across the globe, with the computers now being produced in South America, Asia, and Europe.
G.I. Joe Dolls
Perhaps the most American of all toys, G.I. Joe represents each aspect of the US military and is designed to be a true aspirational hero for young Americans. This hasn’t stopped Hasbro, the doll manufacturer, from manufacturing dolls in China, which we think is quite sad.
Brach’s Confectionary
Brach’s Confections used to be proud to call itself America’s candy maker until it merged with Ferrara Candy Company, a Mexican company. This isn’t uncommon; many US candy companies have moved south of the border as long ago as the 2000s, as made evident by ABC News.
Ray-Ban Sunglasses
A staple of American fashion for almost 90 years, Ray-Ban was making its sunglasses in the United States up until 1999. However, the company was later sold to the Italian brand Luxottica, which now divides the manufacturing responsibilities between Italy and China.
Christmas Lights
The idea for electric Christmas tree lights was first realized in New York City in 1882 before it spread around the world and became a huge business. This means Christmas lights were all once produced in the USA, but not anymore; the cheap manufacturing costs of Asian nations have struck again.
Arrow Shirts
Arrow is one of many American shirt brands that moved its production out of the United States. Having been in operation since 1851, the company now makes shirts in countries such as Cambodia, Bangladesh, China, and Kenya. If you guessed this was to cut costs, you’d be right.
Woolrich Clothing
Woolrich’s status in American history is forever cemented by the fact they made military uniforms for soldiers in the American Civil War. Unfortunately, the company isn’t as heavily planted in the States anymore, having closed its Pennsylvania plant in 2018 and now operating out of Asia.
Mattel Toys
Known for selling iconic toys such as Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels, Mattel ran its manufacturing operations in the USA until 2002. However, as Business Insider reported, they eventually capitalized on the cheaper manufacturing costs in China, now producing 65% of their products there.
Rawlings Baseballs
Most baseball fans assume that Rawlings, the current supplier of the balls used in the MLB, operates out of the U.S. Not anymore; it manufactures its product in Costa Rica, having moved around a number of nations in Central America before settling.
Fisher-Price Toys
Fisher-Price has been a market leader since it was founded in New York in 1930. By the 1950s, it pioneered the use of plastic in toy manufacturing. However, like many American toy companies, Mattel acquired the company and redistributed its manufacturing responsibilities to China in the early ‘90s.
Samsonite Suitcases
A change of ownership prompted Samsonite to stop making luggage cases in the company’s former Massachusetts manufacturing plant. The company now mainly operates out of Europe and Asia, with 40% of its products being made in India. Does Massachusetts have anything left?
Gillette Razors
One of the world’s leading razor manufacturers, Gillette, was bought by the conglomerate P&G in 2005 and now manufactures products in China, Brazil, and Mexico. Forbes shares that this has helped to increase Gillette’s usage, which now has over 750 million customers worldwide!
Etch A Sketch
The iconic children’s toy Etch A Sketch was first designed in the 1960s and manufactured in a small town in Ohio, but that’s no longer the case. Sadly, cost-cutting got the better of Etch A Sketch, who moved production over to China in 2000.
Fender Guitars
Last but not least, it’s Fender guitars. The iconic Fender Stratocaster will forever be associated with American heroes such as Jimi Hendrix, but not all of the company’s guitars are made in America. While some are, they are around double the price of foreign-made models, which are usually produced in Mexico, albeit to a similarly high standard!
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