10 Signs That “Made in the U.S.A.” Still Lives

In an age of global supply chains, the phrase “Made in the U.S.A.” might seem like a fading echo of the past. Yet, the story of American manufacturing is one of evolution, not extinction. In the early 1900s, at the height of its industrial revolution, the United States accounted for about a quarter of all global manufacturing output, dominating the production of cars, planes, and industrial machinery.

By 2025, that figure has dropped to roughly 17% as other nations have industrialized and become competitive players on the world stage. But while America’s global share may have diminished, the ingenuity behind “Made in the U.S.A.” survives. Recent bipartisan initiatives in the United States, such as the CHIPS Act, have tried to give a boost to manufacturing in the United States. In this list, we’ll shine a light on ten projects that are either currently being manufactured in the United States or will be soon. Let’s rev up our engines and take a drive through 10 signs that Made in the U.S.A. still lives.

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10 Jazz Mouthpieces Born in Savannah’s Soul

Jody Espina’s story is uniquely American—and unusually rare. He began his career as a professional musician and dedicated music professor whose first love was jazz, a form of music born in the United States. His career path took a pivotal turn in 1999 when he met the legendary saxophonist and mouthpiece maker Santy Runyon, who, in a remarkable coincidence, had taught Espina’s own boyhood music teacher. Espina worked with Runyon to develop a custom mouthpiece and loved the result so much that he immediately saw the potential for mass-producing the design. The idea of JodyJazz mouthpieces was born.

Runyon, who was already 93 years old at the time, recognized Espina’s passion and accepted him as a student. For three years, he mentored Espina, teaching him the intricate art and business of making saxophone mouthpieces. Espina became so committed to the craft that he made the life-changing decision to leave his teaching career and dedicate himself full-time to his new venture. This period of intense, old-world apprenticeship laid the foundational principles of quality and craftsmanship that would define the JodyJazz brand.

The company’s manufacturing takes place at its factory in Savannah, Georgia, using a process that combines machine work with manual finishing. Each mouthpiece is initially carved on a 5-axis CNC machine to achieve consistency in the core design. After the initial milling, technicians perform detailed hand-finishing on critical areas like the tip rails, baffle, and chamber. As a final quality control step, every mouthpiece is play-tested by Espina or a member of his team to ensure performance.^[1]

9 The World’s Best-Selling Helicopters Still Built in California

While much of the U.S. manufacturing of high-technology equipment like helicopters has moved overseas, Robinson Helicopter is a notable exception. The company was founded in 1973 by engineer Frank Robinson, who had a simple but unprecedented idea: build a reliable, affordable helicopter for the masses. After failing to convince his employers at large aerospace firms, he struck out on his own to create a personal aircraft that wasn’t made solely for the military or the ultra-wealthy. He pursued his goal with relentless focus on simplicity and efficiency.

Robinson established a “Made in the U.S.A.” philosophy based on vertical integration within the company’s factory in Torrance, California. From its beginning to today, the company has produced the vast majority of its own parts in-house. The entire process, from welding the chromoly steel frames and machining components from raw stock to forming the composite rotor blades, is done under one roof. This gives Robinson control over quality, cost, and the supply chain of every aircraft it builds.

The company’s models—including the two-seat R22, the four-seat R44, and the turbine-powered R66—have become among the best-selling civilian helicopters in the world. Since its humble beginnings, Robinson has delivered more than 13,000 helicopters to over 90 countries. While every one of them starts life in Torrance, they serve a global market, perfectly embodying the slogan: “Made in America, Engineered for the World.”^[2]

8 Taylor Guitars Reinvents the American Strum

For much of the 20th century, the United States was a dominant manufacturer of guitars, but during the 1970s, a crisis of rising costs, declining quality control from established brands, and intense competition from Japanese manufacturers emerged. To survive in this environment, Taylor Guitars, founded in 1974, pioneered a new philosophy. Instead of traditional, labor-intensive methods, they strategically integrated technology with craftsmanship to solve the core problems of inconsistency and inefficiency that plagued their American competitors.

The key to Taylor’s survival was rethinking how a guitar was built. Their El Cajon factory utilized CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines and lasers to achieve a level of precision unattainable by hand, which was integral to their most important innovation: the patented, bolt-on Taylor Neck. This design solved the difficult and expensive problem of neck resets, guaranteed consistent playability straight from the factory, and was more efficient to produce.

This combination of automation for precision and skilled craftspeople for assembly allowed Taylor to produce high-quality instruments at scale. Their efficiency and quality secured their position in the high-end market, while a second facility in Tecate, Mexico, allowed them to compete in more accessible price ranges. This dual-nation strategy, built on a foundation of U.S.-based innovation, helped Taylor grow into a leading global brand.^[3]

7 Virginia Chips Keep the Digital World Alive

While much of America’s chip manufacturing moved overseas, Micron Technology survived and thrived by pursuing a different strategy: it became the only U.S.-based manufacturer of DRAM memory chips, and a major U.S. producer of NAND flash. Instead of competing directly on cutting-edge logic processors, Micron focused on foundational components of all digital devices: DRAM (active memory) and NAND (storage). This specialization created a stable business that was indispensable to the tech ecosystem, allowing the company to invest in its U.S. fabs even as others left.

Micron’s facility in Manassas, Virginia, exemplifies this by producing long-lifecycle DRAM chips, the ultra-reliable memory required by the automotive, industrial, and defense sectors. Rather than chasing the fastest, newest chip, this plant produces vital components that remain in service for years. This focus on critical, long-haul electronics made Micron an essential partner for industries where supply chain security is paramount, cementing its role in domestic manufacturing long before it became a political priority.

When the U.S. government passed the CHIPS and Science Act to revitalize domestic production, Micron was not starting from scratch; it was already a cornerstone of American semiconductor manufacturing. The expansion of the Manassas fab is a doubling down on a proven strategy.^[4]

6 Oklahoma Jeans That Outlast Generations

In 1871, a customer in Reno, Nevada, asked a tailor named Jacob Davis for pants that could withstand her husband’s brutal work as a miner. Davis partnered with Levi Strauss to patent the riveted pants, inventing blue jeans, a uniquely American creation.

That tradition of durability continued when Round House Jeans was established in 1903 for railroad workers in Shawnee, Oklahoma. As the wider denim industry moved overseas in search of cheaper labor, Round House doubled down on its American roots. The company maintained its factory in Shawnee, preserving generations of manufacturing skill and securing its place as the oldest operating manufacturer in Oklahoma.

The company says it has never had a layoff, and it has built a loyal, veteran workforce. By designing and manufacturing jeans and overalls in the United States, Round House has ensured that its “Made in the U.S.A.” label is an authentic reflection of its processes. Fortunately, a market for genuine American-made workwear continues to thrive globally.^[5]

5 Atlanta Screens Built Tough for Industry

When people think of computer monitors, they typically think of Taiwan, China, Japan, or South Korea. The United States is not generally seen as a leader in this sector. However, Hope Industrial Systems built its business around designing, engineering, and assembling rugged displays entirely in Atlanta, Georgia.

Founded in 2000, the company carved out a niche: rugged monitors and touch screens for demanding factory environments. Their products withstand conditions where standard electronics would fail, such as exposure to humidity, heat, and water. This focus has made their equipment a popular choice for industrial applications.

A core principle of the company’s operating model is direct quality control. Since its founding, all products have been designed, engineered, and assembled at its Atlanta facility, though some components are globally sourced. The company offers a five-year warranty, a longer term than many standard consumer electronics.

This U.S.-based strategy also creates logistical advantages. By manufacturing and housing inventory in Atlanta, the company can offer next-day shipment for many models. Hope Industrial Systems continues to thrive in the competitive global market.^[6]

4 Ohio’s Toy Factory That Parents Still Trust

In 2019, Little Tikes Toys celebrated 50 years of making toys in the United States. The company was established by Tom G. Murdough Jr. and Jack E. Hill in Aurora, Ohio, in 1967, and they began manufacturing toys in Hudson, Ohio, in 1969. In the toy industry, Little Tikes is one of the greatest Made in the U.S.A. success stories.

Little Tikes has always aimed to make rugged toys using unique processes. The toys are built using bright colors, large pieces, and extremely durable plastic, which parents have affectionately dubbed “magic plastic.” The company utilizes rotational and blow molding techniques to create its uncharacteristically tough products.

The company’s in-house manufacturing in Ohio ensures a high level of quality control by its veteran workforce. Despite challenges like navigating the e-commerce world and the closure of major toy retailers, Little Tikes remains successful, proudly declaring that they are “not going anywhere.” Founder Thomas Murdough was nominated for the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2019.^[7]

3 Louisville’s Big Bet on Washing Machines

GE had a long history of U.S. manufacturing during its 132-year run (1892–2024). In 2016, GE sold its appliance division to the Chinese company Haier, which continues to use the GE name. In 2024, GE split into three companies: GE Aerospace, GE Healthcare, and GE Vernova.

Fortunately for U.S. manufacturing, GE Appliances announced a massive $490 million investment in its Appliance Park facility in Louisville, Kentucky. This investment—the largest in the company’s history—will centralize laundry production in Louisville, a city where the company has had a presence for over 70 years.

The decision involves redesigning Building Two at Appliance Park and incorporating new automation, robotics, and advanced technology into production. Soon, the facility will produce more than 15 types of front-load washing machines, including new combination washer-dryer units. The reshoring will also create more than 800 jobs.

The company cited several factors, including the efficiency of distributing from a central U.S. location and the availability of skilled workers. Kentucky won the project partly due to local incentives, including about $4 million in grants. The first products are expected to roll off the lines in 2027.^[8]

2 A $2,000 Smartphone Built in California

Founded in 2014 by Todd Weaver, Purism is a U.S. company built on radical ideas. In 2017, it became a Social Purpose Company, meaning that though it’s for-profit, it considers social and environmental issues in decision-making. Purism was established to manufacture laptops and phones focused on open standards, user privacy, and the right to repair. Its most ambitious goal was to assemble a smartphone in the U.S.A.—a vision brought to life in the Purism Liberty Phone.

In an era dominated by overseas electronics, Purism is carving out a niche by designing, assembling, and testing its privacy-focused Liberty Phone in Carlsbad, California. While some components, like the chassis and screen, are sourced internationally, the company emphasizes its U.S.-based design and secure assembly. According to Purism, the domestic build added only about 10% more to costs compared to producing in China.

This approach allows Purism to cater to a diverse clientele, including consumers, the tech industry, and government agencies, with the company saying that a significant share of sales comes from public-sector clients. The higher price point—about $2,000—reflects its secure, domestic manufacturing and unique position as one of the few phones with U.S.-based assembly available today.^[9]

1 NVIDIA Brings AI Supercomputers Home

NVIDIA, founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem, is a juggernaut in graphics processors. Originally designed for gaming, GPUs turned out to be uniquely suited for the demanding calculations required by artificial intelligence. Their adoption to train and run AI models has catapulted NVIDIA’s valuation to about $4 trillion as of late 2025, cementing its role in global AI infrastructure.

In a strategic shift, NVIDIA has announced plans to onshore the production of its AI supercomputers. The move is driven by supply-chain resilience and mounting pressure on tech firms to invest in U.S.-based manufacturing. A critical part involves TSMC, which will fabricate NVIDIA’s cutting-edge chips at its new campus in Phoenix, Arizona. Partners like Foxconn and Wistron will handle system integration in the U.S.

By localizing the most critical stages—from silicon fabrication to final assembly—NVIDIA is preparing for potential tariffs and supply chain disruptions. Its goal is to ensure that the essential AI infrastructure powering the next wave of innovation can be built securely on U.S. soil. Production is expected to ramp over the next one to two years.^[10]