Customers looking for American made items

One of the most popular requests Dwight James is hearing from his customers at Cold Water Seed and Supply Co. is what gifts can be bought there that were made in America.

James, who is president of the Tuscumbia store, has seen a marked increase in the number of customers shopping for American made products this year.

"We've sold a bunch of Case knives this year," he said. "Case is the last major knife maker in the United States and people really like them. I might get three requests all year for Buck knives and Schrade and the other brands that are made overseas."

Another American made product that has been popular for gift giving this year are White metal detectors. James has had shoppers from throughout north Alabama and southern Tennessee to buy the detectors because they wanted an American brand, he said.

James Bailey, who operates the Web site yesyoucanbuyamerican.com, said many shoppers are searching for gifts made in the United States.

Bailey, who lives in New York, said online shoppers can find plenty of American-made products for gift giving.

"The No. 1 tip I have for finding American-made goods is to shop on the Internet," Bailey said in an e-mail response. "Many of the U.S. manufacturers left are smaller companies and their best avenue to reach consumers is over the Web."

Bailey has assembled a collection of more than 400 Web links to help shoppers using his Web site find American made products.

In the wake of numerous recalls of foreign made toys because of concerns over lead-based paint, Bailey said many Americans are shopping for toys made in the United States.

"There are still a number of smaller toy companies making stuff in America, though typically their toys lean toward the more traditional," he said.

"There are a lot of wooden toys made here, for example. A lot of board games and a lot of educational type of toys. A lot of toys that allow children to use their imaginations, like we used to do when we were young. The electronic toys, gadgets and video games are not made here."

Mike Rainville, president of Vermont-based Maple Landmark Woodcraft, said the toy maker has had to hire additional employees this year to meet the demand for its products.

"We're flat out busy," Rainville said in a telephone interview. "We've doubled our work force and are working a huge amount of overtime to fill all our orders."

Bailey said shoppers can help increase the number of American made products sold by talking to store managers, especially at smaller chains and independent stores.

"If a store owner hears several requests to add a certain product," he said, "maybe they'll listen and realize they can boost sales by carrying American made goods. For bigger stores, I'm not sure this will work as well, because they are all governed solely by the bottom line."

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.