Edsal Manufacturing Delivers Genuine Made-in-the-USA Rugged Shelving, Cabinets and Furniture at a Better Value than Foreign Imports

CHICAGO, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- With all the media attention paid to the influx of overseas imports of nearly every product under the sun, retailers, manufacturers and warehouse operators may think it's nearly impossible to cost effectively source steel shelving and office furniture from U.S. manufacturers. Contrary to this belief, Edsal Manufacturing has been supplying innovative, affordable Made-in-the-USA storage systems and commercial furniture for more than 50 years from its growing manufacturing facility just outside of Chicago.

"There's a common misconception that buying Made-in-the-USA product is more expensive. This is simply not true. Buyers who think they are saving money by going overseas haven't looked at the current total costs of USA versus imported product," said Mitchell Liss, vice president at Edsal Manufacturing. "When you figure in transportation and other import costs, the price for U.S.-made product is comparable to or less expensive than the similar imported product, and in most cases, the quality of the U.S. product is better. And, U.S.-made products typically contain more than 50 percent recycled content--something hardly ever found in imported product."

In the steel storage and furniture industry, overseas transportation expenses can be as high as 20 percent of the total cost of the product, which Liss says easily offsets the labor differential, which comprises 10-15% of the U.S. cost versus 3-5% of the Chinese cost. Plus, with Edsal's highly flexible manufacturing processes and deep inventory, U.S. buyers can depend on delivery times measured in days, rather than months from overseas suppliers. Quicker delivery times result in lower customer inventory, better in-stock positions, lower holding costs and fewer damages.

U.S. retail and industrial buyers can also feel confident that they'll receive an innovative, top-of-the-line product constructed with pride by fellow Americans. These American craftsmen, as well as Edsal's American suppliers, are spending their salaries and profits back at the very retailers and industrial distributors that buy Edsal's products—keeping the money right here in the U.S. to stimulate the domestic economy at a local, regional and national scale.

"When you buy from a U.S. manufacturer, you get the benefit of supporting the U.S. economy, rather than one halfway around the world," he said. "Ultimately, that benefits every individual and every business in the country."

Most of Edsal's raw materials come from within a 500-mile radius of the company's Chicago facilities, which means the money spent on supplies and workforce is continually reinvested in the region and, where possible, these raw materials are manufactured from environmentally-friendly, recycled products.

As an added bonus for buyers, each one of Edsal's products meets the Buy American Act for projects funded by the government's American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. And, with its local materials sourcing and manufacturing, Edsal can deliver products rapidly, with shorter lead times than many off-shore importers.

As a result of the demand for its durable and contemporary steel storage and furniture products, Edsal has seen its year-to-date sales increase significantly over the last year, even amid a gripping economic downturn. The company continues to expand its workforce to meet demand and recently added a new coating line to its production complex—a $1 million investment in the local economy. It now boasts more than 1.6 million square feet of manufacturing and distribution capacity across 11 facilities, with more than 500 employed full-time.

To check out Edsal's complete line of bulk storage, material handling, office products and other storage and furniture solutions, visit www.edsal.com.

About Edsal Manufacturing

Since 1952, Edsal Manufacturing has been dedicated to delivering only the best quality storage systems and industrial furniture. With a broad line of steel equipment and storage solutions, Edsal offers five grades of industrial shelving, pallet and bulk racks for industrial or warehouse applications, plus shelving, lockers, cabinets, carts and work benches for the sales or shop floor, along with a contemporary line of office furniture and seating products. The privately-owned company is headquartered in Chicago. For more information, visit www.edsal.com.

SOURCE Edsal Manufacturing