WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Venus Group, a manufacturer and supplier of table linens, including napkins and tabletops, was presented with the Cut & Sew Manufacturers Award from the Sewn Products National Reshoring Award competition on Sept. 17, organizers report.
The competition was launched in 2018 by SEAMS, the Association and Voice of the U.S. Sewn Products Industry, and the Reshoring Initiative®, which helps manufacturers realize that local production, in some cases, reduces their total cost of ownership of purchased products and tooling, also training suppliers how to sell against lower-priced offshore competitors.
Before 2015, organizers say Venus Group manufactured approximately 864,000/month in Mexico and the Dominican Republic and today manufactures 1,000,000/month in Fort Lawn, South Carolina, replacing all offshore work and creating 42 jobs in the United States.
In addition, the competition presented Soft-Tex International the Brand Award for its fiber and hybrid pillows, memory foam pillows and mattress topper products. Soft-Tex went through a large reshoring initiative in 2020 and 2021 moving from China to the United States.
Organizers of the competition say the winners represent the progressive companies focused on the Made in America movement supporting the U.S. economy and bringing production of goods back to the country.
“SEAMS is thrilled to partner on this award and be able to celebrate our winners at our annual Fall Conference with their peers and colleagues in attendance after a very difficult year in 2020,” says Will Duncan, executive director of SEAMS.
“Our membership not only continues to grow but grows stronger. These winners represent all of our members focused on the Made in America Movement with SEAMS.”
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