This July, in celebration of the birth of our nation, we would like to raise awareness for the economic and community impact of American-made manufacturers.
To understand the labels on each manufacturer and for what it takes to claim these labels, following are basic descriptions and resources:
The Buy American Act requires Federal agencies to procure domestic materials and products. Two conditions must be present for the Buy American Act to apply: (1) the procurement must be intended for public use within the United States; and (2) the items to be procured or the materials from which they are manufactured must be present in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality. Ref: https://www.gao.gov
The Buy America Act applies mostly to mass-transit procurements for state and local government projects, such as the construction of highways, railways, or rapid transit systems. Any infrastructure project receiving federal funding must source their iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials from the United States. Ref: https://www.fema.gov
How does one claim to be “Made in the USA?”
According to the Federal Trade Commission, “Made in USA” means that “all or virtually all” the product has been made in America. That is, all significant parts, processing and labor that go into the product must be of U.S. origin. Ref: https://www.ftc.gov
Forum Lighting proudly designs and manufactures all products in Pittsburgh, PA by IBEW union employees tailoring specification-grade LED lighting to each project’s need.
Forum Lighting is at the forefront of LED design for offices, airports, and transportation centers—manufacturing high performance luminaires designed for ease of installation and maintenance. They are best known for their custom work at the award-winning World Trade Center Transportation Hub, and other transportation projects such as Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh.
Joining GE Current in 2021, Forum’s innovative features, design, and adaptability, are now complemented with the differentiated technology and value of Current’s expansive portfolio.
Barn Light Electric is America’s leading manufacturer of vintage-inspired lighting. They complete the construction, finishing, and assembly of their lights within their Titusville, FL facility qualifying most of their products to meet BAA’s standards. Thanks to this commitment to American manufacturing, they are able to offer an abundance of stylish, high-quality BAA compliant lighting options.
Dado Lighting created the first zero cavity fixtures the thickness of drywall. All their products and components are made in their factory located in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, with the exception of the LED chip and acrylic light guide panel due to the lack of North American sources. All projects are built in-house and pre-assembled to ensure the fixture matches up exactly to the drawings. All components are tested, labeled, and packaged to ensure smooth installation.
In the video below, Dave Beausoleil, President of CAST Lighting explains what “Made in the USA” means to him, and the importance of bringing manufacturing back to the United States. CAST Landscape solid-bronze, low-voltage lighting fixtures are the industry’s most durable, reliable and highest performing products. Using the method of sand-casting, they pour molten bronze to create their unique fixtures in Hawthorne, NJ.
Camman Lighting is based in Derry, PA. Camman’s skilled craftsmen ensure the highest individual attention to detail. Camman carries a full line of “Standard” products, and highly configurable “Camman Plus” products. Camman’s ETO (engineered-to-order) process enables them to design, engineer and manufacture to any customer’s unique specifications. Close customer engagement is provided throughout each project, infusing creativity, and ultimately meeting the needs of demanding projects.
Efficient-Tec International LLC offers a complete handrail solution for your code compliant projects. ETI specializes in ornamental metal railing systems in stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and copper, both LED-illuminated and non-illuminated. Efficient-Tec International’s S3 handrail solutions can meet any requirement, either from their standard line of products or with modifications from their in-house engineering and fabricating staff in Dallas, TX.
Modular International’s manufacturing plant is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. Modular is known for the original creation of the multiple lamp fixture concept and continue to be a pioneer in the movement to LED commercial lighting in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Their next project is part of the restoration of Downtown Pittsburgh–Allegheny Riverfront Park expected to be completed by 2023.
Cerno feels fixtures designed in America but manufactured overseas often had frustrating quality flaws and were limited by the inherent disconnect in their design-prototyping-manufacturing process. With innovations in incandescent and LED lighting, new technologies brought potential for efficiency, quality and beauty that had yet to be thoroughly explored or developed. So they set out to design and build original fixtures in sunny California.
Call 212.577.2552 or email us at ORA to learn about any of our “Made In USA” manufacturer partners for your next project.
