For the past two years, D’Addario & Company has cut inventory, streamlined factory floor operations, updated technology and saved jobs at their Long Island-based company. Keeping a promise made in the 1970s, D’Addario has implemented the efficiencies necessary to keep jobs in – and bring jobs back to – America with Lean Manufacturing. These principles were recently showcased on the CNN show "Your Money," also known as "Your $$$$$," and on CNN Headline News. It is also available for viewing online.
"
Your $$$$$" is a one-hour news show hosted by
Christine Romans and
Ali Velshi broadcast by
CNN from the Time Warner Center studios in New York City. Breaking down the business news of the week and showing viewers how it impacts their bottom line, it is the only program on the network devoted to in-depth financial coverage.
The piece discusses D’Addario’s recent but devoted adoption of Toyota’s Lean practices, and D’Addario’s 35-year commitment to factory automation. Though critics maintain that Lean implementations and automation eliminate jobs, Jim D’Addario, company CEO, disagrees. By cross-training and teaching workers new skills, like constructing Planet Waves straps, D’Addario has been able to profitably move jobs back from China to Long Island, NY. This point is reiterated by Labor Economist of the University of Maryland, Peter Morici, who discusses how Lean makes it possible to create products in the US both efficiently and cost effectively.
The story has garnered an overwhelming response from consumers and artists, many showing their pride for products made in the USA:
"I just saw your piece on CNN and I wanted to thank you for keeping your manufacturing in the USA, especially Long Island, which is where my hometown is (Huntington Station, NY). Too many companies outsource their product and I am glad that CNN showcased your stance for manufacturing in America and trying to keep as many of your employees as you can. I might not be a buyer of guitar strings but I will be sure to mention you when I am on Twitter and YouTube. Thank you for staying American!"
"After seeing the piece about the company on CNN all I wanted to express was how proud you all made me feel to have been, and still be, a loyal user of your strings for as long as I can remember. I've been playing for over 45 years now and really feel good about making the conscious decision to use your products exclusively, both for the quality and also the fact that they are made here in the U.S.A."
"What a great opportunity, not only for our company but for the music products industry as a whole, to increase visibility in this piece by CNN," Says Jim D’Addario. "Through these tough economic times, we relied on Lean efficiencies to improve our quality, our customer service and to keep manufacturing jobs in America. Getting the word out in this piece will hopefully encourage other manufacturers to maintain their U.S. factories and bring jobs to America."
To view the story online, please visit money.cnn.com.
