U.S. manufacturers remain the favorite sourcing location for catalog companies, with 89% of them rating the American products highly. On average, more than 70% of sales volume is represented by U.S.-made goods, according to a survey of mail-order companies.
The U.S. also remains the most popular location to manufacture or contract for manufacture with 78% of this volume. In contrast, the Far East has lost ground with catalog companies: only 19% of survey respondents manufacture there, down from 24% in 1999.
The NMOA also sponsors the Made in America-Hot Product Contest that helps manufacturers and artisans introduce their products to a wider audience. Winners of the 2003 competition will be announced early this year. —AO