Episode 41
We Import 98% of What We Used to Make
How Offshoring, Overproduction, and Poor Design-For-Manufacturing Created Waste and Weakened the U.S. Textile Industry
About This Episode
The U.S. once made nearly all of its own textiles. Today, it makes only 2%.
In this episode, a third-generation textile leader with over 50 years in the industry explains how offshoring, poor design-for-manufacturing, and retailer sourcing models reshaped the entire sector. Frank Henderson shares why long lead times and overproduction are driving massive waste, and why automation — not cheap labor — is the future of competitive manufacturing.
Key Discussion Takeaways & Themes
- ✓Automating the Modern Sewing Floor: How robotic material handling and automated stitchers are offsetting domestic labor shortages.
- ✓Machinery Reliability & Parts Support: Why 24-hour spare parts availability is the lifeblood of competitive American sewn-products plants.
- ✓Investing in Advanced Technology: Helping traditional factory owners calculate true payback periods on high-capital automation upgrades.
- ✓The Future of Sewn Products: Where sensor-equipped automated sewing is heading and what factories must do to prepare.
Featured Guest
Frank Henderson
CEO · Henderson Sewing Machine Co., Inc.
Recorded Nov 27 2024
U.S. Manufacturing Intelligence
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