Made in America 2024

Welcome once more to our annual Made in America feature where we shine a spotlight on US-based manufacturers serving the equipment and materials needs of the plumbing and hydronic heating industry, from pipes and fittings to faucets and showerheads to water heating appliances and everything in-between.

The good news in 2024 is that the avalanche of federal money invested in domestic manufacturing has finally struck. As of February 2024, annual investment in new manufacturing facilities hit nearly $225 billion dollars, a record high even after adjusting for inflation. While the skilled labor market remains tight (a problem both manufacturers and the construction trades have in common) the manufacturing sector gained 8,000 new jobs in May, a boost from April.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS Act) are driving investment in critical supply-chain technology (like semiconductors) and green technology (such as electric vehicle batteries and wind turbines). For the plumbing and heating industry, the big story is heat pump technology, with expanded product offerings and ever-increasing shipments. These federal initiatives demand domestic production and (when possible) domestic sourcing of raw materials.

But producing and buying domestically is more than just good politics, it’s good sense. Buying American-made shortens the supply chain, cuts down shipping and delivery times, reduces fuel emissions, and supports local jobs and the national economy. 

It’s also good customer relations. The Alliance of American Manufacturing reports that 75 percent of American consumers prefer to purchase items made in the United States. 

Buying American-made makes for a more secure, more prosperous economy, something we all end up feeling the benefits of. So let’s visit with some great American companies and learn about their formulas for success—and hopes for the future.