Made in the USA Foundation Announces Its Inaugural 2010 Hall of Fame Award Winners

Celebrating companies that support America's economic infrastructure through U.S.-based manufacturing

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Made in the USA Foundation is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of its Hall of Fame Awards. Awards are presented to companies whose ongoing commitment to manufacturing goods in the United States reflects their support of creating local jobs and upholding fair trade standards throughout the world.

"The Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Made in the USA Hall of Fame," says Foundation Chairman Joel D. Joseph. "We have considered hundreds of worthy nominees, but have selected only 20 based on the following criteria:

1. Companies that have remained steadfast and refused to outsource;
2. Companies that have strived to export;
3. Companies that have continued to improve quality.

All of the companies that we have named to the Hall of Fame are exemplary American companies that produce very high quality products.   All of these companies also export their products around the world."

Hall of Fame inductees include businesses of all sizes and from all segments of manufacturing, including major corporations as well as family-owned businesses from industries ranging from apparel and footwear to furniture and specialty goods.

Quotes from Made in the USA Award Recipients

"Simon Pearce is proud to support our American artisans who produce all of our hand-blown glass and handmade pottery at our workshops in Vermont and Maryland.  It's an honor to be recognized as one of the increasingly few companies in our industry that maintain a proud domestic manufacturing base."

~ Rob Adams, President, Simon Pearce

"As a homegrown apparel company that began out of our closet 26 years ago, we are honored to receive this award for our commitment to 'Made in the USA.' We are proud to be amongst this great list of honorees. We are one of the proud few in our (apparel) industry that has figured out how to leverage 'Made in USA' in our production efforts."

~ Thom and Mary Ellen Vernon, Founders, Fresh Produce Sportswear

"What a pleasant surprise to be the recipient of the Hall of Fame Award for 2010. You know that I support the goal of your enterprise and am hopeful that manufacturing can once again be a major driver in our economy.  It's not just about the money -- it touches in a profound way how we define ourselves."

~ Tom Moser,  Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers

The 2010 Made in the USA Hall of Fame Inductees:

American Apparel, Los Angeles, California

Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan

Allen Edmonds, Port Washington, Wisconsin

Vermont Flannel, East Barre, Vermont

Vermont Teddy Bear Co., Shelburne, Vermont

Boeing, Chicago, Illinois

Highland Shoe Co., Bangor, Maine

Caterpillar, Peoria, Illinois

Adriano Goldschmied, South Gate, California

Gitman Brothers, Ashland, Pennsylvania

Fresh Produce, Boulder, Colorado

Basic Threads, Carrboro, North Carolina

Thorlo Socks, Statesville, North Carolina

Bill's Khakis, Reading, Pennsylvania

St. John's Knits, Irvine, California

J&A Shoes, Gardena, California

Thos. Moser, Auburn, Maine

Simon Pearce, Windsor, Vermont

Maglite, Ontario, California

Zippo, Bradford, Pennsylvania

SOURCE Made in the USA Foundation