True USA Manufacturing and its Impact on the Economy

Did you know:

1 – Manufacturers contributed $2.25 trillion to the United States economy in 2016.

Since Q2 of 2009, when manufacturers generated $1.7 trillion, this number has been on an upward trend. Value-added output from durable goods also grew over that same time period from $0.87 trillion to $1.20 trillion and non-durable goods output from $0.85 trillion to $1.00 trillion. In 2016, manufacturing was responsible for 11.7% of GDP in the U.S. economy. (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis)

2 – $1.00 spent in manufacturing equates to $1.89 added to the economy.

That’s the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector. Further, for each worker in manufacturing, there are an additional four hired in another industry. (Source: NAM calculations using IMPLAN)

3 – More than 3/4 of all private sector R&D is conducted by manufacturers in the USA, driving more innovation than any other sector.

Research and development in manufacturing has gone from $126.2 billion in 2000 to $229.9 billion in 2014. Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computers, electronics and motor vehicles and parts were the most significant contributors to R&D spending in that year.  (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis)

4 – If manufacturing in the United States was its own country it would be the ninth-largest economy in the world.

Manufacturing had $2.1 trillion in value added in 2014. Including the United States, only eight other nations could best that in terms of GDP. (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, International Monetary Fund)

5 – Most manufacturers in the U.S. are considered to be quite small.

In 2015, there were 251,774 manufacturers and all but 3,813 had less than 500 employees. Three-quarters had fewer than 20 people working for them. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics of U.S. Businesses)

6 – With nearly 12.5 million workers in the United States, manufacturing takes up 8.5% of the workforce.

After the Great Recession came to an end, manufacturing companies have hired more than one million workers. 7.8 million people work in durable goods and 4.7 million work in non-durable goods manufacturing. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

7 – Virtually 50% of all manufactured goods exports went to nations that the United States has FTAs with.

The U.S. exported $634.6 billion in manufactured goods to fair trade agreement countries in 2015. 48.2% to be exact. (Source: U.S. Commerce Department)

8 – Tremendous growth over the past couple decades has made manufacturers more “lean” than ever and more competitive globally.

Output per hour has increased by more than 2.5 times since 1987 for all manufacturing workers. Productivity is about 1.7 times great for all non-farm businesses. As a matter of fact, durable goods have seen even larger growth, almost tripling its labor productivity in that same span of time. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

9 – It’s predicted that 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be needed in the next decade and 2 million of those openings are expected to go unfilled due to lack of skills.

(Source: Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute)

10 – U.S. manufactured goods exports have quadrupled over the past 25 years.

Back in 1990, $329.5 billion in goods were exported. A decade later that figure more than doubled to $708 billion. Despite slowing global growth exports reached an all-time high in 2014 of $1.403 trillion. (Source: U.S. Commerce Department)

Since 1989, SnugZ has been committed to providing an exceptional customer experience and producing high quality products for their customers right here in the good ole’ USA! 

(Manufacturing Facts Source: National Association of Manufacturers)

The Origination of Gift Giving and Why it’s Still Important Today

Humans giving one another gifts is one of the oldest if not, the oldest, running traditions that has been passed from culture to culture and down generation to generation for thousands of years. In fact, it goes back as far as man can remember. By nature people are social creatures that enjoy being in each other’s company and convey our feelings through the giving of gifts. When you give someone a gift it can be an expression of love, acknowledging a job well done or a simple thank you that shows gratitude for a friend. To better understand the origination of gift giving and why it’s still important today, we must travel back in time where this unique form of expression began.

“The best things to do with the best things in life is to Give them away.” – Ambrose Bierce

2018 Gift Collection – Control Freak

Where did it begin?

Nobody is certain, but it is suspected that gift giving originated in primitive cavemen culture. Leaders of tribes or clans would recognize upstanding individuals who took part in the success of a great achievement by entrusting them with a gift. Back then this was seen as a status symbol. Natural yet unique objects were given such as rare stones, teeth from a triumphant kill or special wood and bark from a tree. Tools soon came into the picture and allowed for more elaborate gifts to be crafted like necklaces and other wearables.

In the Egyptian era, pharaohs received a majority of the gifts and built immense pyramids to store their riches for the afterlife.

Good luck tokens were used by the Roman’s to show allegiance and presents to carry favors. This later influenced all of Western civilization and “tokens” are still used today.

During the Medieval age gifts were given to the king to gain favors or to show dedication in times of war. Upon formal engagement to be married personal gifts would be given as dowries in the form of coins, precious metals and even herds of cows or sheep.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we Give.” – Winston Churchill

2018 Gift Collection – Limelight

Why is it still important?

There’s an old saying that goes like this: “it is far better to give than to receive.” Every day gifts are given to partners, family members, co-workers and friends. Gift giving is the universal way to celebrate holidays, milestones, anniversaries, birthdays and more. Why is it so rewarding for both the giver and receiver? Simple. It allows people to connect. It gives us a sense of satisfaction to share in that with someone special.

Substantial amounts of research has been conducted over the years into the feelings of well being that occur when we give gifts. According to Northwestern Medicine  and science, “the act of giving is physically, mentally and emotionally beneficial.” Here’s a few reasons (not that you need one) to give a gift to someone you care about today:

  • Makes you feel happy
  • Gain a sense of purpose and improve your state of mind
  • Create a social connection
  • When you give it makes other want to do the same

You’re invited to explore our complete 2018 Gift Collection which includes over 30 new products and gift ideas for all occasions and any budget. Happy giving!

“The grass is greener where you Give it water.” – Neil Barringham

2018 Gift Collection – Sous Chef
View the 2018 -2019 Gift Collection