US companies doing the US good

[Dangerous Doug]

I am in the process of watching a US company cut US Operations by 50%, and shipping the jobs overseas. Disheartening, especially in this economy. Management makes decisions based upon the short-term impact on the few numbers that Wall Street looks at, to reap their bonuses despite the job losses and detrimental impact on the US economy. Greed, is not good.

Alternatively, I'm flipping through my latest issue of Road&Track (August 2009) and on pages 70-71 there is a two-page advertisement, the first paragraph reads as follows:

"What matters to you? Today, America needs fresh leadership to lead us as a nation out of this economic crisis. Leadership must come not only from our political leaders but also from the average citizen. The exporting of American jobs is a trend that must be stopped and reversed. When I walk inot my local hardware store, I typically find 85% of the goods for sale are manufactured 7000 miles away. Recognizable American brands have been forced by shortsighted management and buyers at large national chains to build factories overseas just to save a lousy $0.50 on a tape measure. To these ruthless buyers, it is all about the money. Rarely are product quality, the political system, human rights, animal rights and environmental costs to the planet considered, not to mention the cost to our society of exporting not only jobs, but an entire factory!"

It continues:

"At MacNeil Automotive, we are doing our part for the American economy and for our 300 million fellow citizens and neighbors. My philosophy is that if my neighbor doens't have a job, sooner or later I won't have a job either." [David MacNeil, Founder and CEO MacNeil Automotive]

The two-page ad continues, but I'll let you go read the rest yourself. Though I have purchased products from MacNeil Automotive, I did not know this about their corporate philosophy. I'm impressed, but I also realize that I would not have known this about MacNeil Automotive if they hadn't taken out this ad.

This got me to wondering, what other companies out there think likewise?

For me, I'm frustrated by watching the executive management of major corporations pander to Wall Street, so the execs can get their unfair share of the pie. My business goes to companies like the one portrayed here, keeping jobs in the US, sourcing whenever possible in the US, and doing their part to bolster the US economy.

So, what do you think? What matters to you?

Any other like-minded companies to add to the list?

DD