China

Ken, your products are top notch to and I really hope that you'll be able to keep following your guidelines that you have set. I wished other manufactures could follow your example.

JB, the whole thing started many years ago when Americans started buying import cars and then led to the cool thing to buy from overseas. Even when the American car manufactures were building the same quality you still heard that America could not build it as good.
The unions have had a big impact on the American auto manufactures cost of building their product to compete in price.
If your looking for a big debate on this subject you may be looking in the wrong place. Sure we don't like that manufactures are going to china however we as individuals here can't do a lot about it except to say no we don't like it and we look to our leadership for those answers. Yes, they are not doing a very good job of it, especially right now. Things have got to change and we need to come together as a country before they will change.
My opinion

Referring to the people here on Bike Talk.

True, my area is specialized and as stated I am in fact a small company. However despite the size of my company my products are sold in almost every country in Europe, Australia, and even Japan, so my product isn't so localized that it doesn't fall under the same circumstances of many other manufacturers. To me it really doesn't matter how big my company becomes, I have made it clear from the day I started that I'm selling an American made product with a vested interest in the local economy. I can't say the same for some others in my industry who started out "Made in America" only to change directions for the sake of profit. To me that's a matter of ethics. I'm certainly not trying to convince anyone to only buy my product or others because it is American made, but rather offering it as a choice.

Just stating my opinion, not really interested in debating what is or isn't capitalism.

From what I hear on here from Ken, I really don't think that Ken is interested in stockholders. Just like in my business I don't want to be the biggest but simply the best when I do inspections. I think Ken in his business is like that as well. I believe he is simply trying to say also that he wants his products to be the best and that their made in the USA. I think he is proud of that fact. I also feel that its something he can hold his head up high about.

Here in Oregon we have Made in Oregon Stores, they have them in several locations including at the airport. They sell a lot of their items that are Made in Oregon. More expensive yep, but worth every penny.

I can't say selling outside the US has treated me any better or worse, simply a different avenue to sell my product. Sales are primarily to individuals and independent shops via internet sales.

I feel that I am still in business because I supply a quality product and I place myself in the shoes of the customer treating each as I would personally expect to be treated myself. Also I should point out that I did not have to tap into markets outside of the US and Canada, I did so because there was a need and requests to do so. I certainly wouldn't say they are a must for keeping my business in the black. Also for every country that I've sold in there are that many more that I avoid for obvious reasons like restrictions, political unrest, and corruption dealing with payment and delivery.

True but so far the only other shareholder than myself is the wife and she seems to be happy with what she gets.

I should point out that I'm a small but growing business by every account and do not wish to imply that larger corporations should be following the same path. I do know companies that remain true to not outsourcing their manufacturing and enjoy global success, yet still keep investors happy. It may not be easy but it can still be done.