After a year riddled with pandemic-related interruptions in the global supply chain, there’s a renewed spotlight on American manufacturing. At Kewaunee, American manufacturing has always been a strong part of the fabric of who we are. Headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina, Kewaunee is a recognized global leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of laboratory, healthcare, and technical furniture products.

Products include steel, wood, and laminate casework, fume hoods, adaptable modular systems, moveable workstations, stand-alone benches, biological safety cabinets, and epoxy resin worksurfaces and sinks.

Kewaunee formed EVERHUTCH in 2020 to fill a critical need in healthcare storage products leveraging over a century of manufacturing expertise.

Advantages of American Made Products

Among the many strengths of EVERHUTCH is the advantage of being designed and manufactured in the U.S. These strengths include faster lead times, supporting small businesses, and supporting EVERHUTCH. As a whole, manufacturing supports the economy nationally and provides opportunities for skilled workers to have an impact in their industry. From economic to environmental considerations, there are many advantages to supporting American manufacturing.

Reliable Supply Chain

The emergence of COVID-19 and the subsequent shutdowns in 2020 posed a major threat to many industries and businesses. Industries across the board faced delays related to supply chain and manufacturing. Reliance on foreign producers caused interruptions in the shipping of parts and materials to nearly 75% of companies in the U.S. Meanwhile, Kewaunee was able to continue to manufacture critical products as a result of its vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities and largely locally sourced raw materials and components.

Rigorous Safety and Labor Practices

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) works to ensure safe and healthful working conditions. OSHA does this by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. When buying American manufactured products and supporting American manufacturing, you’re supporting these safe work conditions and supportive labor laws. Aside from these federal safety regulations, Kewaunee prides itself on rigorous safety standards to promote the health of employees all the way through to installation.

Shipping Cost and Delivery Time

Delays in shipping and delivery can cost customers thousands. Projects pushed back even a few days can cause headaches for everyone in the entire scope of a project.

By utilizing vigorous American shipping and logistics networks, manufacturers can cut down on delivery and shipping costs, and pass those savings along to the end consumer. There’s also the added benefit of speed. Instead of waiting for cargo to clear customs of spending weeks in transit on the water, products can reliably travel on rail and road.

Environmental Benefits

Shorter shipping routes result in improved carbon emissions and savings in energy required to ship products from manufacturers to the end customer. Instead of shipping products on cargo ships – a significant source of carbon emissions – cleaner and faster transportation options are available when sourcing domestically. Aside from shipping logistics, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets out strict regulations for American manufacturers which we strive to exceed in our products.

Conclusion

With manufacturing capabilities from start to finish in Kewaunee’s headquarters, EVERHUTCH procedure cabinets, utility carts, and other products stand ready to be delivered into any acute care environment.