USA Made - the value of Berry compliant Manufacturing

Over the past week I've been asked about the Berry amendment. At Merrow, everything we make is 'Berry' - or 100% sourced from the USA; including fiber, yarn, trims, and labor.?

It was because?of this commitment to a US supply chain that we were able to pivot?in 2020 to produce millions of reusable medical gowns for American hospitals and the VA.?

It should be noted that as soon as Chinese imports arrived, every single order from private hospitals was canceled and the US supply chain was forfeit in favor of disposable imported products (but this is a separate?discussion).?

Merrow Manufacturing (www.merrowmfg.com), a company with over 185 years of experience in manufacturing and distribution in 93 countries, has been a strong proponent of the Berry Amendment. The amendment, enacted in 1941,?requires the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to purchase certain products made in the United States, including clothing, textiles, food, and metal products. Merrow Manufacturing ensures that all protective apparel designed for the DoD are Berry Compliant and adhere to these guidelines.

Berry Compliance is crucial for promoting American industry, economic security, and national security. By requiring the DoD to purchase products sourced and made in the United States, the amendment helps to create and maintain jobs within the domestic economy and ensures that military personnel have access to the highest quality products, made with materials that meet American standards for safety and quality. Merrow Manufacturing's commitment to Berry Compliance strengthens the domestic supply chain by ensuring American companies can access government contracts and innovate new products.

To ensure compliance with the Berry Amendment, companies and agencies must understand the requirements of the law and ensure that their procurement practices are in line with the law. This includes understanding the definition of "domestic production," labeling and documentation requirements, and supply chain management. Companies that violate the Berry Amendment may face penalties such as denial of future contracts or reputational damage, impacting their ability to do business with the government in the future.

During the Covid-19 crisis, Merrow Manufacturing pivoted its operations to produce protective gowns for frontline workers. The company's innovative approach to manufacturing, combined with its commitment to American industry and quality, allowed them to quickly ramp up production and supply critical protective equipment to those who needed it most. This success in manufacturing gowns for the Covid crisis demonstrates the value of Merrow Manufacturing's commitment to Berry Compliance and its ability to adapt and innovate in times of crisis.

Strengthening the industrial base requires USING the industrial base. A plan to manufacture is entirely different from manufacturing. Unfortunately too many people believe that planning is sufficient. We know for a fact that without trained workers, healthy supply chains, and knowledgable engineers and process management, that 'turning on' manufacturing when you need it is impossible. When the Berry amendment works, it is successful because it provides consistent work for industry to justify investment in the industrial base. For this reason alone it is a critical and necessary law that deserves to be strengthened.

The truth is that without the Berry amendment there wouldn't be soft good manufacturing operations of any consequence in the Americas. While brands might be ok with this as they celebrate their bottom line, Americans will find it difficult to accept that in a time of crisis this great country would not be able to cloth itself, never mind cloth the people who protect our borders.