Longaberger Transitions To American Made Only
March 24, 2013
ZANESVILLE — The world’s largest American flag will be unfurled this summer to help celebrate the Longaberger Co.’s 40th anniversay and its transition to strictly American-made products
Brenton Baker, director of corporate communications, said the company expects to create 500 new positions in the U.S. as a result of Project Eagle. The display of the 128,775-square-foot flag is just one of many events set to promote the project.
“Our company was built on American craftsmanship,” Baker said. “Our baskets have always been made right here in Ohio. We feel that it’s important to bring all of our production back to America.”
The company that began by solely producing baskets 40 years ago has morphed into a home goods store that produces pottery, woodcrafts, raw iron, glassware and other home accents aside from its famous baskets.
In the early 2000s, Longaberger moved its pottery manufacturing overseas because of an increased demand.
Now, CEO Tami Longaberger has decided to bring production back to its roots here in America within the next several years.
“It won’t be easy,” Longaberger said during a keynote speech in July 2012 in Columbus. “But it’s going to be worth every ounce of work we put into it.”
The festivities will be June 14 and 15 when Longaberger hosts the Great American Picnic. Aside from the world-record flag, there will be live entertainment, food and shopping for everyone in attendance. Baker expects it will be “like a hometown picnic” with people from towns across the U.S. gathered at the Longaberger Homestead in Frazeysburg.
There also will be a specially crafted red-white-and-blue basket auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Fisher House to support American service members and their families by allowing them to be close to loved ones during hospitalization.
“The public has rallied around this project,” Baker said. “It’s creating American jobs and supporting American families. That’s something everyone can get behind. I think that unified message is resounding around the country.”
“Our company was built on American craftsmanship,” Baker said. “Our baskets have always been made right here in Ohio. We feel that it’s important to bring all of our production back to America.”
The company that began by solely producing baskets 40 years ago has morphed into a home goods store that produces pottery, woodcrafts, raw iron, glassware and other home accents aside from its famous baskets.
In the early 2000s, Longaberger moved its pottery manufacturing overseas because of an increased demand.
Now, CEO Tami Longaberger has decided to bring production back to its roots here in America within the next several years.
“It won’t be easy,” Longaberger said during a keynote speech in July 2012 in Columbus. “But it’s going to be worth every ounce of work we put into it.”
The festivities will be June 14 and 15 when Longaberger hosts the Great American Picnic. Aside from the world-record flag, there will be live entertainment, food and shopping for everyone in attendance. Baker expects it will be “like a hometown picnic” with people from towns across the U.S. gathered at the Longaberger Homestead in Frazeysburg.
There also will be a specially crafted red-white-and-blue basket auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Fisher House to support American service members and their families by allowing them to be close to loved ones during hospitalization.
“The public has rallied around this project,” Baker said. “It’s creating American jobs and supporting American families. That’s something everyone can get behind. I think that unified message is resounding around the country.”
SOURCE: Zanesville Times Recorder
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