A product’s value is determined by an array of qualities. For green products, it comes down to how it was made, how it is distributed and the overall environmental impact the product has from material sourcing to finished good. The subject of buying USA made products has been a hot subject lately, re-sparked in the beginning of the new year with comments by the new administration. Sourcing products made in the USA has always been the trend in new age, sustainable building practices across the states since the inception of LEED. With LEED v4 rolling out back in October 2016, architects and designers continue to gravitate more towards these US sourced products as a means of acquiring credits for buildings.
We saw the trend prominently at KBIS this year, with products ranging from kitchen appliances and bathroom accessories, to new design technologies and applications manufactured or developed domestically. Many booths (our Modern Surfaces booth included) found a lot of foot traffic due to the emphasis and passion had towards providing a product or service that was homegrown and accessible. It may seem like just a trend to some, but the desire to source US made goods and services is rooted in not only keeping it domestic, but also how synonymous “Made in the USA” is to durability and quality.
But, even with the quality that comes with US made products, there is always opposition. Mainly: the price tag that comes with it. In a market where you can purchase a jacket for $25 dollars and a pair of shoes for $50, many refuse to make the jump up in price for what they see as the same products. We, on many occasions, have heard from customers and clients alike why we price ourselves the way we do. For starters, we make sure that every employee is making a livable wage and that their families are well supported financially. A price to pay for manufacturing in the US is the employees themselves, the true backbone to all of our product lines. When any of our modern surfaces are installed into your kitchen or bath, you can be sure that your money has gone into the hands of hard working, honest men and women and the families they support.
While “Made in the USA” may just be a buzz word to some companies, we live by it through and through. It meant so much to us that we changed our logo to show just how much we value IceStone’s domestic roots. Everyday when we open the doors to the factory, it feels good knowing that our products, from material to finished good, are a homegrown effort to make sure that what we are giving back is smart, sustainable and beautiful.