Gotfredson's business grows with Made in America hat

 

After looking at hat samples from off-shore manufacturers, Gotfredson quickly decided the Sport Buddy had to be made in America, if for no other reason than to preserve its quality, design and durability. 

Both presidential candidates President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney advocate the return of manufacturing back to America. As the nation #

 

Gotfredson frequently sells her Made in America Sport Buddy hats at golf tournaments and other national sporting events alongside competitors whose products are almost always foreign-made. And while Sun & Color’s Sport Buddy hats cost slightly more due to America’s higher labor costs, Gotfredson said consumers still prefer her brand to others when they learn the products are Made in America. Consumers appreciate the value and are willing to pay more for a U.S.-made brand that will likely last years longer than foreign-made brands.

 

“The quality of my hats is so much better than if it were made in China,” said Gotfredson, adding that local manufacturing also leads to greater control of production and enhanced customer service. The Texas-based Sport Buddy manufacturing company responds immediately to any issue without a language or cultural barrier, and the craftsmen creating each hat work under humane conditions – a fact that Gotfredson can live with.

 

From concept to delivery, Gotfredson said a Chinese-made product would take up to three months. Lead time for her Sport Buddy manufacturer is typically four weeks. Additionally, she has a patent on her Sport Buddy hat that makes it crushable, washable and easy to travel with, and because China does not protect patents, Gotfredson felt that manufacturing in the U.S. would ensure her patent stays protected.

 

Founded by Melissa Gotfredson, Sun & Color is a summer retail shop that sells seasonal must-haves, including tunics, t-shirts, sundresses, summer scarves and more.