As the U.S. economy averts default and continues to recover from the 2008 recession, the words “Made in America” resonate more than ever. According to Ray Petterson, President of Sox for Horses, Inc., the horse industry has recognized that “making it” in America is about more than creating a product; it’s about giving friends and neighbors a leg-up, too.
“Over the years, we have seen our product bring nearly miraculous relief to our four-legged clients,” says Ray Petterson, president of Sox For Horses, Inc., “But it’s the people behind our products who have been the real miracles. Behind our label are people who want to work and take pride in what they do.”
Petterson launched his business under the simple premise of treating others with respect and giving everyone a chance to be their best. "If one leads their life with ‘clean hands’ toward others, good things come to you. I can't say in what form the good comes, but in our case, the people who have helped build this company are as good as they come, and I consider myself blessed."
The Alabama company where Sox For Horses are knitted is based in a town once called the ‘knitting capital of the world’ until jobs and production moved overseas. Petterson says only a few American-owned and operated mills remain. “Will the U.S. textile and knitting industries survive the current export of jobs outside our country? Only time will tell. I know I'm going to do what I can to keep people working."
The people behind the Sox For Horses, Inc. label include Ann B, the knitting mill business manager who always stays upbeat. “It's not that she is blind to how bad it is in her town or for others around the country, but her optimism and hope in the face of hardship is definitely a Made in America attitude that makes us all stronger,” he says.
Or, meet Bruce H., their knitting technician. Petterson says, “Sox For Horses has asked knitting machines to do things knitting machines have never done before, and without Bruce, a.k.a. the ‘sock whisperer’, our world-renowned socks would not exist as they do today. Bruce has been in the knitting industry for many years and all he wants is to do good work for a good day’s pay. This is another quality I would call, Made in America.”
It goes without saying that before a sock can be knit, yarn has to be spun and Sox For Horses, Inc. utilizes another all American company located in North Carolina. “The great thing about this family-owned spinning mill is that they are there for me as though I order thousands of pounds of yarn a year.” Petterson shares the same high regard for their work as he does the company in Smyrna Georgia, Quality Tape and Label, another family owned business that prints the sock wrappers. “I think that family owned businesses know and experience the same pains that you do and they are sensitive to how hard it can be to grow something from scratch. We are all connected in working with each other toward success and quality products.”
Sox For Horses come off the knitting machine in need of ‘finishing’, a series of stitching cycles that make the socks strong and increase their quality and function. “The person who finishes our Summer Whinnys™ and Whinny Warmers® is Carol R., a retired school teacher who had Trey Young, the Natural Horseman, in one of her ninth grade classes. Carol recalls Trey as a typical fifteen-year old. His mind was not on school. It was on winning rodeo championships and Carol has that same ‘can-do’ attitude. Carol greets mission impossible with a big smile and a dedication to making it happen. She lends her expertise in advising the best way to finish in order to get a good result and she is there watching the socks go on the horses as her ideas are tested.
An experienced seamstress, sewing Summer Whinnys™ and Whinny Warmers® is rapidly paying off Carol’s collection of top-of-the-line Bernina sewing machines! “Carol R. is engaged in the process of always making the socks better and where do you find that quality in people except right here in our back yards.”
Kevin G., who was previously out of work, was able to launch his own business, wrapping, expediting and fulfilling Sox orders. In the process he is already gaining other clients and customers that need things done yet have no time to do it themselves. “It’s a clever idea. Kevin made his job his way, no boss but himself, and he sets his own hours. If that isn't Made in America, nothing is,” says Petterson.
Made in America isn’t just for bricks and mortar. Sox For Horses, Inc. works with Cornelia D. of Indigowizard.com, a web design company of her own creation, to build and oversee www.whinnywarmers.com. “Cornelia shares the same philosophy as we do about keeping Americans working and chooses to use a Worthington Ohio web hosting company for all of her clients. No outsourcing here,” he says.
“From our Patent attorneys, at Pennington & Moore, to the mill owner himself, to friends not mentioned I’ve had great helping hands. Summer Whinnys™ and Whinny Warmers® pass through some wonderful American's hands before they rest on your horse's legs.”
Petterson’s business hasn’t made him a millionaire yet, but if you ask him, he’ll tell you he is rich in satisfaction: “We have brought in nothing but fine people all around us, who have helped make it possible for your horse to wear better socks than you could buy at the same price for yourself. I smile a lot knowing I am able to help others. I sleep well at night. Worn out, but well."
To learn more about Socks For Horse, Inc. and its line of products including Summer Whinnys® and Whinny Warmers ™, visit www.whinnywarmers.com, or Socks For Horses, Inc. on Facebook.