Earlier this summer, referring to “the proud stamp that says 'Made In America,'” President Obama announced a $500 million joint effort by industry, universities and the federal government to reposition the United States as a leader in cutting-edge manufacturing. Emphasizing a made-in-America approach while visiting Iowa in June, he said innovation and adaptation would help the U.S. economy rebound.
The horse industry has always been a resilient community, and buying local or U.S.-made has been one way to support horse businesses while lowering carbon and fiscal footprints.
“There is no question that there has been a shift in shopping habits by horse owners as a result of the economic downturn,” says Raymond Petterson, President of Sox For Horses, Inc., the makers of Summer Whinnys® and Whinny Warmers®. “People are sensitive about credit card debt and more active in their strategies to pay those down. The debit card is used less. Money in the pocket is the guideline to spending, versus remotely emptying the checking account.
“Many horse owners are taking a stand on buying local to help their own economy, and buying products made in America. They have seen the impact of jobs lost to overseas production affecting their neighborhoods and if they can’t do more to change things, at least they can buy in their own towns and buy as many American-made products as they can.”
Petterson has never wavered about producing Socks For Horses in America. He saw the writing on the wall years earlier while searching for a sock-knitting mill that was still in operation. “It was sad to see nearly the entire knitting industry had closed down in this country. I’m buying local and made in America as much as possible.”
Petterson said “It was a personal choice to make my socks here and I was able to achieve a high level of quality and function that I don’t believe would have been possible if I had tried to integrate our research and development with a knitting mill thousands of miles away. Americans take a lot of pride in what they make. I wanted that dedication to quality. ”
As Sox For Horses, Inc. prepares to exhibit at the American Equine Trade Show August 13th-15th in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, they believe that more horse owners will be looking to buy from locally owned tack and feed stores rather than pulling out the credit card for an on-line purchase and Summer Whinnys® and Whinny Warmers® succeed, Sox For Horses, Inc. would like to bring a whole lot of local store owners along with them for the ride.