American manufacturing is alive and well in Pennsylvania.When Secretary Clinton and other key policy makers visited us a few weeks ago, we were reminded of the important role we play, not only as a U.S.manufacturer since 1956, but first and foremost as a Pennsylvania manufacturer.
Pennsylvania has a long history of industrial and manufacturing firsts. Scranton, in the northeastern part of the state was the first city in America to be electrified. Titusville, Pennsylvania was the birthplace of the oil industry. Iron production first began in this state in 1716 and within 100 years coal was fueling industrial growth.
Manufacturers benefited from all of this industrial development. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh established themselves as hubs. Philadelphia became known for manufacturing textiles, chemicals, metals, furniture and pharmaceuticals.The western city of Pittsburgh became known for heavier industries including iron and steel production. It was also the birthplace of the H.J.Heinz Company, makers of the ubiquitous iconic condiment we have all grown to know and love today, Heinz Ketchup.
While manufacturing throughout the state has seen its ups and downs, recent history shows a strong upward trajectory. These statistics reinforce the importance of manufacturing to Pennsylvania's economy and the role it played in fostering many iconic American brands.The Rodon Groupis honored to be part of this tradition.We've been manufacturingK'NEX building toypartssince they were first introduced in 1992.
A great way to get an inside glimpse of these Pennsylvania manufacturers is to check out their websites and look for factory tour videos, like this one fromBollman Hats:
Here are some other iconic brands that are still being made in Pennsylvania today:
Iconic Products Manufactured in Pennsylvania |
|
| Company Name | Woolrich Outdoor Clothing |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1830 |
| History of this iconic brand |
"Legend has it that Woolrich was the first company to use a zipper in men's trousers.The timelessRailroad Vest, introduced when the railroad was being built through Pennsylvania, is still a popular item.Another garment with roots back to the mid-1800's is theBuffalo Check Shirtthat has kept many generations of outdoorsmen warm."
|
| Company Name | Just Born |
| Website | www.justborn.com |
| Year Established | 1923 |
| History of this iconic brand | "Just Born Quality Confections is a third generation, family-owned candy manufacturer that has been in business since 1923. Just Born is the ninth largest candy company in the country and all of our candy is proudly produced in the USA.We employ more than 600 associates, most of whom are at our world headquarters and candy factory in Bethlehem, PA, where we produce PEEPS®, MIKE AND IKE® and HOT TAMALES® Candies." |
| Company Name | Bollman Hats |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1860 |
| History of this iconic brand | "Founded in 1868, The Bollman Hat Company is America's oldest hat maker.We are a world leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of men's, women's, and children's headwear and accessories." Bollman Hats President and CEO, Don Rongione founded American Made Matters®, an organization dedicated to educating consumers on the importance of buying made in USA products. |
| Company Name | Martin Guitar |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1833 |
| History of this iconic brand |
"Few acoustic musicians can hear the name "C.F.Martin" without instantly linking it to some mental image that stands for enduring quality.Since 1833, the Martin Guitar Company has provided instruments of consistently high caliber to virtually a worldwide market.
|
| Company Name | Zippo Lighter |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1933 |
| History of this iconic brand |
"The story of Zippo Manufacturing Company is the story of its people, from the founder, George G.Blaisdell, to the many Zippo employees, customers, and collectors who have played a part in its 80-year history.Their loyalty to Zippo has made this one of America's great companies, one with a vivid history which is detailed here."
|
| Company Name | W.R.Case and Sons |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1889 |
| History of this iconic brand | "W.R.Case & Sons Cutlery Company is an American manufacturer of premium, hand-crafted knives that are passed down for generations.Based in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Case's offerings cover a wide range of product categories, from traditional folding pocket knives and fixed blade sporting knives to limited production commemoratives and collectibles." |
| Company Name | Crayola |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1885 |
| History of this iconic brand | "Crayola has called Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, its home since the turn of the century.Today, the company's world headquarters and major manufacturing facilities are located there.Downtown Easton is the home of The Crayola EXPERIENCE®, our interactive brand experience where families can enjoy a day of creative fun and see how we make our iconic Crayola crayons and markers." |
| Company Name | Bluestar Stoves |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1880 |
| History of this iconic brand | "Built with the highest-quality materials and distinctive workmanship that comes from 130 years expertise, BlueStar turns up the heat on home cooking with a fully customizable line to suit the specific cooking needs of the accomplished home chef." |
| Company Name | Kepner Scott Shoes |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1888 |
| History of this iconic brand | In 1888, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania (pop.2,000) was beginning to emerge as a footwear manufacturing hub.That same year Kepner Scott Shoe Co.was founded from the former shoe firm of Haeseler, Kepner and Co.by Alexander Scott and W.C.Kepner.By 1913 Orwigsburg was home to eleven shoe manufacturers collectively producing over 1.4 million pairs of children's shoes annually. |
| Company Name | Harley Davidson Motorcycles |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1901 |
| History of this iconic brand | "The first production Harley-Davidson® motorcycle was built to be a racer. The factory in which they worked was a 10 x 15-foot wooden shed with the words "Harley-Davidson Motor Company" crudely scrawled on the door." |
| Company Name | Mack Trucks |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1900 |
| History of this iconic brand |
"The phrase, "Built like a Mack truck," signifies strength and durability.As America's first integrated truck and engine manufacturer, Mack Trucks, Inc.holds itself to high standards and practices balanced design, a method in which components are engineered to function perfectly with one another."
|
| Company Name | Pyrex Glassware |
| Website | |
| Year Established | 1915 |
| History of this iconic brand | "World Kitchen is proud to design and manufacture our iconic Pyrex® glassware products right here in the USA.Since 1915, Pyrex glassware has been manufactured in America, including at our facility in Charleroi, Pennsylvania since the 1940s." |
*Historic information taken from company websites.
Comments