Abandoned American Towns - Who's to Blame?

Abandoned and deteriorating towns are scattered across America, many of which were once booming centers of industry and manufacturing. In New England, the loss of the shoe industry struck a major blow to many communities. Hundreds of thousands of skilled American craftsmen and women were left behind by corporations looking to increase their profits at the expense of their employees. Like the shoemakers, millions of other Americans have suffered the same fate in their own industries, and it has taken a toll on our country.
Will a new generation of shoemakers be able to bring back this lost industry in the age of the global economy? A group of Mainers are trying to do just that.
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:15 The Death of American Industry
1:35 A Once Thriving Factory
2:04 Famous Footwear
2:37 Who Were The Shoemakers?
4:02 The Geography of Industry
4:42 Downward Spiral
8:09 They Closed Our Factory
9:54 Abandoned Communities
10:48 Can We Bring Industry Back?
12:07 Are You Crazy?
13:17 What Am I Doing?
15:47 Bringing Shoe Manufacturing Back
19:05 A New Generation
20:05 There is Life After Bass
#originusa #madeinusa #americanmade #factoryblockchain #jockowillink #waveoffreedom

[@RoseAnvil]

Cool to be a part of this! Origin 💪💪💪

[@ORIGINUSA]

We appreciate your support🇺🇸💪

[@beegee14]

Amazing collab. Can’t wait for this momentum to keep growing. American made is not dead

[@yourewelcome9996]

Thank you!

[@miketrotman9720]

If there's anybody doing major work educating consumers on craft traditions in shoemaking (and what to avoid) and the great small companies keeping it going, it's you, Weston.

[@JS-jh4cy]

Blame WTO and WEF

[@LaurenceHoneytoast]

I will pay the extra money knowing they are made here at home. I can't stand seeing work and craftsmanship leave. I bought 2 pair of ORIGIN jeans already and will support 10000%.

[@timothybounds173]

Started buy USA made in 2017 stand w you I will pay more & support American

[@mgelax]

Watch out! You might become a fanboy! I have the following from Origin and I LOVE THEM - BJJ gi (black path), 2 jeans, Coronado boots, 2 t-shirts (I want more), 2 exercise shirts, a small leather wallet, and even a leather mouse pad! I plan to buy more. The clothes are so comfortable and the boots feel like boots should!

[@sebastian3004]

Watch how many Americans line up to buy shits made in china from Costco and Walmart. I bet those blue collar workers from the rust belt are the Majority. So funny :)

[@ORIGINUSA]

@@mgelax Let's go! 🇺🇸💪

[@ORIGINUSA]

We appreciate the support!

[@gregzoller9003]

I absolutely love that the old guys were still there and could pass on the knowledge to try and restart this industry.

[@grusgott7188]

My uncle worked for the same shoe factory in Monet MO for over 40 years and never missed a day of work. When my grandpa died, they closed the factory for the day so my uncle could attend the funeral and still keep his perfect record.

[@ronlanter6906]

I worked at *Belleville Shoe Company* in Belleville, Illinois in 1976 during my summer break between sophomore and junior high school. They made boots for the US Army. I was a *"Laster"* It wasn't a glorious job but my co-workers were good people to work with. My grandmother retired from there, which is how I got the summer job.

[@jenbrez70]

This does my heart good. Worked at the maytag refrigerator factory for 16 years. It destroyed our community when it shut down 20 years ago to move to Mexico. We've never recovered. On the upside. Their quality went out the window when they relocated. The new fridges were catching fire, and they had a huge recall and ended up closing down the plant in Mexico a few years later. But hey at least the higher ups got huge bonuses before it all went to hell. I guess im still bitter.

[@drewmorrison]

Not an anticapitalistic person by any means but when executives take the huge pay and no responsibility, that’s what disgusts me. It’s a commonplace now. It’s antileadership.

[@TCSRock78]

Bought a Sears Kenmore fridge, made by Whirlpool in Fort Smith Arkansas back around 1982 and it is still running. Back around 2004 I pulled it out of the house because it was squealing and was quite beat up. Busy week so I dragged it into the living room where it set till the weekend when I could haul it out to the curb. Plugged it in just for shits and giggles and it ran fine, probably out of level or something where it was sitting. Took it to the shop where it sits today in the break room working just fine 42 years after it was built.

[@brianblithe2271]

@@drewmorrison Problem is it is not capitalism we need to wake up and realize it is nothing but greed, and evil minded insanity that they have gotten away with for 30 years now. Govt is to keep its hands off business but it has its hand in almost every part of American business anyways, why not make it right ? Again only if you have to do it but if you have to do it do it. People in this country have a fascination with profit and business but if it is going to destroy every aspect of America it can not happen and has to be worked on with every possible intelligent thought process ever conceived.

[@CaseyBerard-qv6bi]

Fuck them they suck and now it’s coming to everyone

[@hoperules8874]

Same with Spectrum Control's plants from Western Pennysilvania! Closed up, machines shipped to Mexico and within a year the workers had damaged the machines so badly, they had to close there and move back to the US, but stopped in Texas to reduce costs. That area of PA was gutted of all it's manufacturing. Joy factory and several others are all gone. The steel mills got revived but not to capacity. I think only Channellock is still running. Not sure. Hardly anyone I know is still there.

[@geomod6850]

As a son of parents who have lost multiple jobs due to companies outsourcing labor to Mexico and China, thank you. The pain the folks at Bass felt is real and I felt it. God bless you all at Origin.

[@ORIGINUSA]

It's time for things to change 🇺🇸💪

[@DieselRamcharger]

where do they buy their material? ;)

[@Navy35]

@@ORIGINUSAnow we insource labor

[@nosac1230]

Anybody remember a guy named Ross Perot? He said NAFTA would result in a giant sucking sound of US jobs being destroyed by our policy to buy from places like China and Mexico. He had no idea how right he was.

[@DieselRamcharger]

@@nosac1230 he knew exactly how right he was. there is a reason a character such as ross perot was used to deliver the message......so you wouldnt hear it.

[@lockman004]

My grandfather was a fifth generation shoemaker and from the 1920's until the early 1960's he worked for Florsheim Shoes. After Florsheim was sold to the National Shoe Corporation he became the general manager. One of my grandfathers Irish crony friends sold Florsheim the glue and thread they used to construct their shoes. Ultimately that supplier hired my father when he graduated from college as a chemical engineer. Ultimately my father owned the business making adhesives and coating for a wide range of businesses. To this day the current corporation that bought the business supplies Redwing, Allen Edmonds, and other companies with their glue. And I understand the the descendants of the Florsheim family now own and run the Florsheim Shoe Company.

[@johngalanti1010]

Florsheim. The best dress shoe made. I still have my pair 50 years later.

[@jojoanggono3229]

Florsheim, beautiful shoes for the occasion.

[@FloridaManMatty]

You may be interested to know that those same adhesives intended for shoes are also used in custom, high end leather gun holsters. Sam Andrews (made all of the holsters for the Magnificent 7 remake) and one of the worlds finest custom holster makers, uses that same shoe cement on all of his stuff.

[@erin19030]

I was 56 when I lost my job to out sourcing after 35 years. I was out of work for a year and went thru all my savings. The only job in my field willing to take a senior citizen on paid half what I made. I took a position on the graveyard shift as it paid a 20% differential. Then in the following year that shop closed. Luckily I found a job teaching college, but still did not gain back my original salary. My wife went back to work too, I was very proud of her, she did better than I could do and became the principal in a local school. Over the next ten years my 401k was raided by Wall Street. Here I am at 81 still struggling, living on SS and my wife’s pension . We are being threatened by a foreclosure on our mortgage if we don’t cough up $500 more a month. In my America that I defended with my life in Nam , I know find myself facing homelessness. Ive done all I can do but bleed.

[@jmg8246]

You defended America in Nam??? Did the Nam ppl attacked our west coast? Ever wonder why people back home call Nam veterans baby killers?

[@QuantumPK]

Russian Misinformation,This account is a bot, Don't be fooled Americans things are better than they have been for the last 27 years.

[@stevejaubert2892]

And they will take your blood in this dog eat dog thankless world of mostly uncaring politicians and bizzness.

[@user-gp7bm2gd8c]

I'm sorry !!!!

[@balsamicman9114]

Help young people Were in the same boat ! At least they give your Guys mortgages.

[@lukeburt14]

Thank you all for all you are doing! It’s an honor wearing origin gear!

[@ORIGINUSA]

We appreciate your support🇺🇸💪

[@Slide61]

It took generations to develop manufacturing skills in the United States. Offshoring, mostly driven by Private Equity and retailers like Walmart, destroyed those skills in one generation. You don't get those back. Thank you to the folks at Origin for preserving a tiny but significant part of what was lost.

[@Golfing422]

I work in manufacturing and I see it. In my line of work, I’m the last generation, and that’s it. Once the skills are gone, there’s nobody to do the teaching. Very foolish of the politicians.

[@robertewalt7789]

There was a time, 1980’s maybe, when Walmart had a “buy American” focus.

[@MrSloika]

What this video doesn't address is the 800 pound gorilla sitting in the corner. What I'm talking about is the effects of AI and automation. Even if manufacturing comes back to the US...and it probably will..most of the jobs will not. Many of the jobs in manufacturing have already been replaced by AI and automation. In past decades US labor was replaced with cheap foreign labor. Now labor all over the world will be replaced with computers and robots. The benefits of that AI/automation will accrue mostly to people who control resources and capital. Most of the rest of us are screwed.

[@Golfing422]

@@MrSloika Sure, that can work for the high production stuff, but it doesn’t work for the low volumes and the changeover work required. Automation is costly and you can’t justify it for every size job. I’m attempting it right now and you still need set up people to set that type of equipment up. There’s complex problems and fixturing problems.

[@elpacho....9254]

How many generations in a country that is only 247 years old?

[@bobyoung1698]

This is one of those inspirational stories that lifts your heart and makes you believe in America again. One of the things I learned in college was that communities do better when they have diverse industries. Then, I saw what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket. The town I grew up in, Saginaw, Michigan, was one of several cities along the I-75 corridor in the eastern part of the state. The dominant industry was automotive manufacturing. When the industry shifted its business to the American South, and then Mexico, and then China, the city collapsed. There was no industry to fall back on. Unemployment skyrocketed, crime rose, people flocked to the township outside the city, the tax base diminished - the city never made a comeback. A similar thing happened in the city where I live today, but there was a big difference. There were a number of other industries to hire workers. Unemployment rose, but then declined. People were able to keep their homes and send their kids to local schools. Today, the city is flourishing, growing, innovating, planning future growth. We can reinvest in towns like Wilton, and we can remaster the art of making good American shoes. But we have to expand the manufacturing diversity in those communities. By the way, I bought a pair of Bass shoes in the late 1960s. I was still wearing them in the late 1980s. I wish I still had them today.

[@aaron___6014]

My former co-worker was a manager at Freeman shoes of Beloit Wisconsin (2005), herb dalhberg. A 41 year career, try that with any company today! He was also a Korean war veteran. There's nothing left of the factory or any recognition that it once existed.

[@miketrotman9720]

I live in Holyoke, Mass., once the paper-making capital of the United States. Many of our old mills are still here, derelict now, many of them, but one look and you can tell what kind of place this was when manufacturing was America's way of life. Our whole city is full of people who could tell stories like that market owner's. This was an amazing doc. Thank you.

[@Lafly84]

Used to haul paper rolls out of mills in the NE - Mead bought up a bunch of the little mills and shut them down in the 90s, as I remember. Often they were the main employer in town.

[@stephenpurcell9268]

My Uncle used to work in a Millers Falls paper plant. God I miss him !!!

[@frankblasky1296]

I live next town over. I preformed electrical work in the machine shop’s throughout Holyoke and Chicopee but these are all gone now. I was told that the loss of Westover Field and the Springfield Armory cost our region 25,000 jobs. Now Smith & Wesson might be pulling out as well. Sometimes it isn’t offshoring jobs it’s stupid government like Massachusetts.

[@Gnomezonbacon]

@@frankblasky1296 Now Springfield is such a craphole that it's the only place in the state where you can lose money buying a house and is treated like a forgotten backwater.

[@shawng746]

This is exactly why I'm a die hard Origin supporter. What they do is exact what we need. Not only do they care about the products that go to the customers, but also the people. The people that buy them, the people that make them, and the people that spent their lives learning and making them before.

[@ORIGINUSA]

🇺🇸💪

[@AwokenEntertainment]

so happy to see it being revived!!

[@scotty9462]

Nearly brought me to tears. So proud of you all!

[@MichaelJTaylor]

This is so inspiring, we are dying for integrity like this.

[@ORIGINUSA]

We're all in this together🇺🇸💪

[@mattstone8878]

​@ORIGINUSA I don't think we are. I think we were at one point. Not anymore. I used to agree with you but as I look around I just don't see it any more.

[@MichaelJTaylor]

@@mattstone8878 you just have to build that back every day. Hold a door open for someone, say hi when passing by. The whole point of this is to aim for an ideal and start now. I think you would help your neighbour if given the opportunity, that's what it's about.

[@mattstone8878]

@MichaelJTaylor I hear you and I do those things by default. My observation is that this culture is fading by the day. We have devolved into a "low trust to no trust" nation, especially in the cities.

[@MichaelJTaylor]

@@mattstone8878 all I can do is control what I do and who I am around and the people I'm around I expect trust and respect and I treat others that way too. I try to avoid "the internet" and get out to ice skate, kickbox or do BJJ, see people in real life. The less time I spend online the better I feel. Don't give up hope dude. I hope you have some cool friends to support you.

[@blitz3653]

Just watched this on my lunch break while wearing a pair of Origin boots. Love the nod to tradition. Keep the fire burning! 🔥

[@ORIGINUSA]

🔥🔥

[@zone4garlicfarm]

@@ORIGINUSA I would be wearing Origin boots except for one thing. Their largest size is too small.

[@mattd.4133]

International Shoe Company was in Olney, Flora, and Salem Illinois each of these towns are 30 miles apart. When they shut down it devasted the whole region! We have recovered a little but it almost permanently destroyed the area.

[@Paiadakine]

I love how proud the old workers are. They take pride in their work. I got let go after 34 years. Walked out 1/2 hr before quitting time. Felt ashamed. My only saving grace is I found another job 4 yrs later that took a chance on an older worker. Still not making what I did but I’m grateful.

[@user-dn4lg1dv5v]

Thabk God for people like all of you. Bringing back to life, American manufacturing. We need the revival of manufacturing and industry in this country.

[@johnwright9372]

It should never have been allowed to leave. Reagan did this, but strangely, people have bought the media nonsense that he was a great president.

[@bobwild9995]

@@johnwright9372 Totally disagree with your remark, You need to step back one term before Reagan, and look at what Carter did in 4 years, and look at today what FJB is doing.......a repeat of Carter. Those of us that grew up durn the Carter years remember the mess we had, and how Reagan pulled us out of it to some degree. Problem was, Carter had screwed up the economy so bad, most of the company's had shut down, pulled out of county, or just quit manufacturing, and Deregulated trucking and Reagan could not put all the pieces back together. What's going on the past 3 years is the same as what Carter had done, Wake up and see it from the past.

[@robertgriffin9670]

This was such a beautiful documentary. It had my wife and I on the brink of tears the whole time. God bless the men and women trying to bring back craftsmanship and economic prosperity to the US.

[@ORIGINUSA]

We appreciate you watching 🇺🇸🙌

[@johnteeter2857]

Nothing about how central bank elites got us off gold so they could print unlimited amounts of money. This money props up the world including China. At one time Japan couldn’t compete because our labor was too cheap.😂

[@keithnorris8982]

Great Story. I love watching good news about our country and the common man/woman who are behind and proud of the company they work for. Lets see more of this with our citizens and business'/companies!!

[@TracyBarton]

Absolutely love all the Origin products I've purchased from the boots and belts to jeans and hoodies. Thanks for bringing American quality back to the USA!

[@JohnSmith-oe9nh]

I worked for Red Wing Shoes for 38 years until my retirement. Red Wing Shoes is STILL making shoes at a union shop in Red Wing, MN. Why did Red Wing Shoe survive? Same labor costs, same leather costs, so what is the real story of Bass?

[@JohnSmith-cn4cw]

Yeah, but Red Wing discontinued my boot pattern after only 35 years. Do you know how hard it was to find another boot I liked?

[@mattd.4133]

And they are the best boot!

[@axiomaticidioms3857]

We have a Red Wing shoe store here in Michigan. It's been around since before I was born. Their boots last longer than the boots from department stores.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

Red Wing and Bass sold to different markets. Red Wing was and still is an expensive, high quality boot. Their customers are willing to pay for something that will last. Bass made less expensive lighter duty shoes. Their customers look more closely at the price tag than the quality. It's difficult for American manufacturers to compete against Asia on price, especially for a labor intensive product. High quality products can be made anywhere.

[@marperf]

The American made red wings aren't affordable unless your employer is paying for them. Red Wing sells Chinese boots also under their name

[@chargermopar]

I am happy you are putting your story on the internet. This is important for people to see what the results of good people taking risks can be.

[@howesfull8]

Awesome! Just awesome....My grandfather worked as a millwright at International Paper and my nana worked at Dexter in Jay. I got a bit choked up listening to those northeast accents. I saw those towns withering away to nothing as I grew up. People want and need to work. It gives value and dignity to their lives. Many thanks to Origin. Hope this starts a trend.

[@haroldconner2645]

I worked in an Endicott-Johnson shoe factory in 1974 in Mildred, Pennsylvania. Long gone. Jobs disappeared. Community never recovered. I bought a pair of origin boots to help support your mission. Keep up the good work!

[@ORIGINUSA]

It's unbelievable what's happened to so many towns like yours and ours... We appreciate your support in helping us bring it back🇺🇸💪

[@Lafly84]

You can tell what kind of operation George F. Johnson ran when he died in the late 40s and old timers still speak of him fondly. I live in Endicott, NY and anywhere you look you can still see infrastructure that he donated or directly financed for his workers. "Home of the Square Deal".

[@jrams2022]

3 pairs of boots so far, jeans, hoodies etc.... proud to support this company.

[@ORIGINUSA]

Thank you for all of the support!

[@paulciccarello661]

It takes decades to dismantle America, this video shows the beginning and we are experiencing the end nowadays

[@davidbudka1298]

I remember Bass Shoes. I was just reading the story of a shortline railroad that served tanneries that catered to the shoe industry in Southern New York and Northern Pennsylvania. Water power and fireproof mill buildings are of interest to me too.

[@jordanpittmanmusic4753]

What is really sad is that baby boomers in these towns were raised and educated to be factory workers. When these factories left, it was a slap in the face to small town America.

[@johndunbar2393]

Another thing that crushes small towns, is the big box stores. I'm from a town of 4000 people, and we had 3 grocery stores, Alco, Gibsons, Sears, JC Penny's, jewelry stores, shoe stores, clothing stores, and a Main Street full of businesses and when Wal-Mart opened up a store in town, within 3 years, Main Street was a ghost town, essentially. That's why I buy Origin clothes. That's why I seek out small companies, that sell USA products, made by Americans. Hopefully, someday, we can live in an America, where everything we want and need, can be sourced in the USA, from USA products, made by Americans. Fantastic video Origin. Thank you.

[@ORIGINUSA]

The entirety of America is feeling this struggle... We appreciate your support 🇺🇸💪

[@steveb.2874]

I feel the same way as many of those that responded. I'll gladly pay the extra money, even twice as much for American made quality shoes and clothing. I despise being forced to only have overseas shoes and clothes available to me. LLBeane used to be all USA made products. Not anymore.

[@baronvonjo1929]

The thing is though small shops always charge terribly high prices for what is generally lack luster quality or product. It's not very practical to waste all day going to mutiple small expensive shops when Walmart as almost everything you need. You might disagreem but you must realize convenience rules the US. Unless you make useful alternatives you won't see the rise of those small towns you were talking about. It is sad. Small towns are quickly falling behind. When ever I pass through one its frankly difficult to justify living in such a place where there is simply so little opportunities and everything looks trashy and worn because there is no money.

[@johndunbar2393]

@@baronvonjo1929 And that mentality is WHY they are "falling behind". I live in a town of 250 people, so I have a pretty solid grasp on the situation. Convenience only "rules the US" because people have been trained to believe convenience is king. Those of us, who notice a problem, and actually work to solve it, instead of add to it, have different priorities.

[@baronvonjo1929]

@@johndunbar2393 I was just telling you the problem. I would say it's more deep than that. I bet most Americans don't even realize how convenience obsessed they are. There is probably very little chance to back track however. Asking busy people to think of grand scale ideals and long term thinking is a stretch.

[@jimlynch1624]

Wow! That was truly a great piece to watch. Thanks for covering this. Very well done, all around!

[@russellstewart5414]

We have no one to blame but ourselves, we as a society demand fast cheap solutions to almost every aspect of our lives. Companies know this and exploit it . Very few people are willing to pay the price for quality boots, if they were we wouldn’t be watching this video. I’ve worn Red Wings for 45 years and have never been disappointed.

[@Zelindadavidowski]

I'm from a little town in British Columbia, Canada & I absolutely love watching Origin videos. They give me hope for the future of mankind. Thank you, Origin

[@ORIGINUSA]

🇺🇸🇨🇦💪

[@christopher2215]

Excellent content, gents! Knowing that I am supporting American families with my purchases makes me especially proud to buy Origin.

[@ORIGINUSA]

We're blessed to be able to support our Origin family, and we appreciate you being a part of it🇺🇸💪

[@dirostudios]

In 1985 I was laid off with thousands of workers from Carrier Air Conditioning company Syracuse New York. Once the #1 AC manufacturer in the world 🌎. A family owned company the stockholders sold out to behemoth UTC who then shut down the factory a few years later, killing jobs of over 30,000, destroying upstate New York’s economy. I quickly moved my family to Los Angeles finding work the 1st day I got there, making 2.5 times the money and sunshine 300 day a year. Thank You UTC. 👌 My beautiful home town of Utica New York once a population of 100,000, fell to 40,000, many moved out to find work elsewhere.😢

[@toastnjam7384]

I recall watching a news report on the closing of a factory on its last day back in the early 80's. I forgot what they made but it was one of those old factory's that provided lifetime employment for generations and built a stable and prosperous working/middle class community. It couldn't' compete pricewise with foreign imports from Asia anymore. Watching it I got a sinking feeling that America was changing and not for the better.

[@WarheadFPS]

As a navy veteran who now travels around to different paper mills working as a technician, I love working in domestic manufacturing. I cannot begin to describe how important it makes you feel to be doing something that is essential for the modern economy to function. I'll keep buying your clothes as long as you sell them! I would only ask you guys keep trying to make products cheaper with the same quality they are now. Unfortunately I cant afford an entire wardrobe of origins clothes, but I do continue to purchase items as I can.

[@ORIGINUSA]

Thank you for your service and your continued effort to keep industry in this country🇺🇸💪

[@amarbaha]

Loved the episode! One of the key things mentioned here is that "the knowledge is there." That struck me how many skilled people there are that have knowledge but are under-appreciated and underutilized. Unfortunately these people are getting older and moving away. America and Canada need to realize how much talent is still there but not for long. Love the product and I hope to own a pair soon.

[@annalisagentile6028]

Where I used to live, there were so many factories that employed local residents. Little by little, they all left.

[@rodrogers6895]

About 30 years ago I was in “sales” and traveled a Ten state area. Many of my sales accounts were in smaller towns with populations between five and 10,000 people. These towns were often thriving, filled with ‘Mom and Pop’ owned businesses. As the years went by, more and more of these towns began to die. Walmart had come in and the local businesses shut down. Thriving main streets became empty with shuttered storefronts. The residents of those towns killed their own communities, by buying where it was “cheaper”. Only when we’re willing to pay a higher price, and demand better quality, will Americas industries rebound.

[@michaeleich2187]

I feel that a lot of things are being blamed on union people. I was reading a thread on another forum that brought up a valid point. It goes like this, factory making vacuum cleaners, management told union employees that they either take a pay cut or the plant closes. Employees accept the offer, plant is still open but the surrounding small stores and other businesses are gone. What seemed to be the only logical explanation for this is that the workers now have less money to spend and are forced to go to the Wal-Mart's and other large stores in order to buy the things they needed. You cannot make someone's income smaller and expect them to continue to support your business if you are not willing to also accept a reduction in your standard of living.

[@d1p70]

Exactly! Finally a smart comment. Reading other comments here you'd think someone held a gun to Americans forcing them to buy cheap Asian products.

[@ls1jeeper]

Greedy politicians getting their pockets lined is how we got here. I can remember my grand parents seeing something not made in America and never give into buying whatever it was. I have some origin clothing and it looks just as good as it did when new.

[@mikolowiskamikolowiska4993]

What does choice have to do with politicians.

[@boromirofmiddleearth557]

and mega transnational companies!

[@georgeburns7251]

How stupid can you be? Politicians? Do you have any idea who moves their production off shore? Let me clue you in….corporations looking for what? Profits.

[@DolphinWithIgloo-fg3ow]

It was only a matter of time before Germany, Japan, start to recover and be competitive. China just happen to have the largest population and were advantageous at cheap labor. China did pretty well in economic growth relative to where it was before.

[@IanPunter]

Especially the sociopathic Clintons who were brought into the white house by the Waltons (nobody made more$ from "free trade" than them) and King Dave Rockefeller to push this evil agenda down the throat of then still pro labor democrats.

[@rolandhall4692]

Loves this new video on the legacy and bringing back the show manufacturing to the USA. I love jiujitsu, I love origin gear.

[@ORIGINUSA]

Appreciate the support🇺🇸💪

[@My-name-is-MUD]

What a great video. This is excellent. If a product has distinct value the extra price is well worth it. Seeing Americans producing high quality products produced here in America with American parts and raw materials is even better. What an inspiring video. Imagine this happening everywhere.

[@jeffchabot4385]

Great video! My son introduced me to Origin with two pair of jeans for Christmas. He has several and Ghis. Wonderful to be able to buy quality products from my home state of Maine!

[@williamjones3462]

Pete Roberts, (11:22) Thank you for having the cotton bolls on the side table. I grew up having to pick that stuff by hand. Back breaking labor that taught me the value of hard work.

[@NDB469]

Thank you to Origin for reinvigorating American made production and creating. We need more and more of this!

[@MrBNARick]

WOW! Congratulations and THANK YOU!! What a place to start a business when you have that much of a craftsman knwoledge base at your disposal.

[@26skogen]

We need our industry back. Good on them for taking this in. I would pay more too to buy Made In USA.

[@cmichaelhoover8432]

I am 77 years old and just 2 weeks ago paid an old immigrant Italian cobbler to rebuild two pairs of 30-40 year old penny loafers. I now own 4 pair, the two that I paid $180.00 to have rebuilt and two newer pair that cost less new . I obviously don't need another pair of penny loafers, but if I could buy a new made in America Bass Weejuns, I will! And I think the Weejuns would be a retro hit.

[@lvculo]

I have bought many old shoes on ebay made in ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I ALWAYS buy quality have been doing this since YEAR 1982. All I ever wanted from China is a bamboo back scratcher and I've already got one of those, bought 2 of them year 1982 !!

[@djchaisson]

This was a beautiful and inspiring piece!!!! Godspeed to you all bring back an industry ❤

[@ORIGINUSA]

Thank you for the support🇺🇸💪

[@bulltraderpt]

Really enjoyed this video. Great vid, thanks from the England.

[@TimothyFrench]

Excelent video. I’m trying to get people to return to their town centers and the independent businesses that open in them. Textiles were big in the Carolinas, and they suffered the same fate.

[@mcseforsale]

Thanks for taking care of this. Growing up in and around Maine, going to the shoe company's outlet stores for "school shoes" at places like Dexter, NB, and Bass were part of my childhood. When the "global economy" started kicking off (and indeed, taking my own machining/manufacturing job from Ct. to Ireland in the 80s), we watched in horror as all of this was thrown away just to save a buck on a pair of boots. I'd gladly pay an extra $10-20 on a pair of shoes manufactured in Maine. Now, I can. Thanks, again....from some nitwit in Atlanta.

[@shabblabbat]

not sure why, but this made me tear up a bit. It's good to have something positive going on in this crazy world. Thanks Pete and your crew. Guess I'd better get another order in to Origin!

[@ORIGINUSA]

We appreciate the support!🇺🇸💪

[@glennoropeza3545]

I remembered growing up with American made shoes! Damn good quality and excellence quality and comfort! Sad but no more! At least we still have the people who have the experience but soon they'll die off.

[@user-ue7wu2dh4o]

What a pleasing story Origin. Good luck.

[@joshuadtuminaro]

Love when y’all post Original uncut and also videos like this 💪🏻💪🏻

[@ORIGINUSA]

Lots of awesome stuff coming this year!

[@ciarangavigan]

Ya’ll should really get in touch with Paul A.Akers. American innovator and his 2 second lean approach to manufacturing (de-centralized command esque.). That would be a colab! American made 💪

[@dagwood1327]

In the 80’s I met a custom shoemaker that was retired but just wanted to teach someone his trade. He said in the early 80’s that all shoes were going to be made overseas because of unions and politicians.

[@Gator-357]

I used to live next to an old Mason shoe factory in Chillicothe, Ohio. We can make anything here in the US. The problem is that everyone thinks they have to charge outrageous prices for made in the USA products, especially shoes and boots. I've got a pair of White's bespoke work boots that I paid $400 for many years ago. I just keep paying as much as for a new pair of boots to get them repaired and that is getting almost impossible these days with all of the cobblers going out of business.

[@victortaveira8271]

For a shoe manufacturer, it’s bad if everyone start fixing instead of buying, but I always support fixing. Since 1970s, Europe had been built and Asia has been rising too, increasing competition. Also, America need to further invest in human capital rising and compete in same fashion, like japnease, chinese or germans and so on, increase periodically efficiency

[@hunteratwood2529]

this just fired me the crap up. Absolute awesome video.

[@ORIGINUSA]

🔥

[@joetkeshub]

Great rebirth! Congrats!

[@thaweelx]

Nothing's more beautiful than this. Wish you all the best, from Thailand.

[@dougg1075]

I remember the Levi Jeans plants shuttering near me. My best buddies wife lost her job and a bunch of others.

[@ORIGINUSA]

It's the sad truth... Hopefully more companies will follow suit and bring their manufacturing back to America!

[@d1p70]

Lol I'm sure folks would take out a loan to buy a pair of 'murican Levi's over a $20 Walmart pair! Blame lies with US consumers' culture... not politicians or anyone else.

[@Sidthesloth205]

Absolutely love this company. I love their jeans and jackets. Have y’all ever thought about making a Chelsea style boot?

[@diane9247]

This is truly a feel0good story! Thank you for presenting it.

[@michaelhoward4020]

I hope this is contagious. I want to buy these boots just to support the manufacturer and make them a prized procession. I worked in a shoe store when I was a teenager when many shoes were made in America. God bless America!

[@mmacoupon]

Another banger, well done

[@ORIGINUSA]

🇺🇸💪

[@highclassvods1956]

best jeans ive ever owned, delta flex feels like im naked wearing them

[@ORIGINUSA]

So comfy they make you want to go commando👖

[@InLawsAttic]

My husbands’ grandfather’s sisters worked in the shoe factories. His Grandfather & Grandmother worked in H.I.S. We were very sad to see it all end.

[@kennethflores-hv7uf]

Man this was an awesome documentary and will def check out their boots

[@adriansaw8329]

Keep going team! Good to see US manufacturing and products being made with care in the US

[@ORIGINUSA]

🇺🇸💪

[@Kaleb.R]

Problem with Americans now is if you tell them something is made in the US, they get excited until they hear the price of US manufacturing. Everyone is so used to Chinese cheap manufacturing, they cannot stomach US manufacturing costs

[@tomreed5375]

Grew up in Endicott, NY where Endicott Johnson shoes were manufactured for the first half of the 20th century. By the 60's and early 70's when I was living there the old factories were slowly shutting down, but the hard working immigrants from Italy and Poland had passed that work ethic on to their children. Seeing the jobs being moved overseas was heartbreaking, but this documentary is truly exciting. Having young people moving into skilled trades and working with their hands is far better than people staring at screens all day.

[@alisjopapa9833]

It’s heartwarming and all but $400+ for a pair of boots is the cost with taxes. No way Jose.

[@badhabitmotorsports]

Very awesome to see this type of video iv been looking in to origin for awhile and this just sealed the deal I'll be buying a pair of boots now

[@ORIGINUSA]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@skeleton1765]

I absolutely agree that the GDP of a country goes up when protections are lifted. The thing is, who’s getting that extra cash? It certainly isn’t the workers who lost their job. Will a few higher paying positions in the marketing, sales, finance and legal departments be created? Yes. However, all of the manual, or relatively low-skilled workers will be displaced. What always pissed me off in my economic classes were that we only ever did quantitative study. We never did qualitative study. We are now witnessing what happens when all of the lower middle class jobs are shipped overseas. GDP went up and quality of life went down. The increase in GDP concentrated at the top. People wonder why there is increased crime too. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Young men used to be able to find work straight out of high school. Now companies are so risk-adverse they won’t even higher you for an entry level position unless you have previous experience.

[@ORIGINUSA]

You said it best: Idle hands are the devil's workshop...

[@stevenm3141]

As an American to see "made in America" on products brings back memories of good people and times. The pride that we don't need any one to make things for us, we'll do ourselves and better! Thank you Origin.

[@30smsuperstrat]

I appreciate the effort. The truth test is how many Origin labor employees can afford the Origin products at MAP prices? If you say 70%, it will be successful long-term.

[@spammodump]

Decent product; need to work on the Quality Control though.

[@AprocksSkcorpa]

I absolutely love this!

[@ORIGINUSA]

🇺🇸💪

[@trailridescj7528]

Good news! Thx for the video. Best 🍀 and success!

[@martinschulz9381]

Over time people just stopped dressing nicely and wearing traditional leather shoes...today less than one in a hundred people wear nice leather shoes in public. Taking pride in ones appearance when in public is a thing of the past. All the luck in the world to Origin. Good video.

[@sweetchildofnine6677]

I'll always willingly pay more for something made in USA

[@ORIGINUSA]

🇺🇸💪

[@jeancadet5862]

yessss

[@sweetchildofnine6677]

@ORIGINUSA hey can I ask two things? 1. Bring back the odyssey ranked rash Guards love those things and 2. Do you plan on doing women's jeans? I'd love to get my gf some Origin jeans

[@d1p70]

Lol sure you will 😂

[@sweetchildofnine6677]

@d1p70 I do. Buy their jeans, and hoodies, shoes from a different USA company, obviously can't do everything but try my best

[@ThomasSanneman]

These will be the only boots I ever buy.

[@ORIGINUSA]

🇺🇸💪

[@ezk9026]

I have to say im 40 years old, have been watching every positive person there is/was. Everyone from Rogan to Jordan Peterson, Huberman... the list goes on and on and This Video was the most inspirational, greatest thing I could possibly see in a time where we see clearly how the government has destroyed America. I absolutely loved seeing the old BASS employees smile and get to teach Origin how to do the boots. Amazing, had me tearing up in a great way. I will be a customer and supporter the best way I can for you all. Make America Great Again. I will be starting a company here soon, not sure what yet but all I wanna do is bring back the factories here and bring stability back to an amazing country. God Bless! Origin All The Way!!

[@pamh2703]

It’s corporations using governments as their tool to manipulate laws to favor their bottom line that has caused all of this greed-based-capitalism to make themselves billionaires and reduce the rest of us to struggling and hanging on by our fingernails. Follow the money.

[@kimlizotte694]

Hello from Cheyenne, Wyoming! Born and raised in Maine and my grandmother worked in a shoe factory she went blind with cataracts while she was sewing a pair of shoes had surgery and went right back to work. That was an Androscoggin County - Lewiston Maine, when I was a baby my father worked in a linen Mill in Lewiston. I would love to see Maine come back alive with all its Mills! Last time I went home to see family in the mid-90s in Maine the economy was so bad people had to hold down three jobs just to make their rent or mortgage and have food on the table. Corporate greed should be against the law and punishable because of all the lives that it destroys.

[@jordanpittmanmusic4753]

My home town was a factory town. I was born in 88 and watched my town go downhill over my life because all factories left when I was a baby.

[@YourBestFriendforToday]

Brilliant play on words!

[@cs-rv5xg]

To see the look of joy and satisfaction on the older generation. This is right for America.

[@frederickburns1739]

I live in APPALACHIAN MTs of N.C. Bought a home here about four years ago. Been visiting friends here for about thirty years and my friend heard I had sold my farm and his cousin folks had recently pass away and were selling the homestead. I remember when I first visited and this little town was booming! It had several fabric mills ( Hanes Fruit of the Loom ETC.) , a shoe factory or two and A Dr.Grabow Pipe factory. As of 2024 it's a ghost town; I think Dr.Grabow is still operational but very downsized. IT'S TIME PEOPLE TO PUSH BACK AND SAVE OUR COUNTRY AND FREEDOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND A GOOD START WOULD BE TERM LIMITS, ABOLISH THE FEDERAL RESERVE AND OUTLAW LOBBYISTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JohnSitton-ub5nv]

Never bought another pair of BASS shoes after the moved over seas, same with LL Bean.

[@franhildwine1340]

KZbin needs a LOVE button! Incredible story. So well told. Amazing images and script. 12 out of 10.

[@ORIGINUSA]

Thank you for the support!

[@kirstenspencer3630]

In 1998 I watched auctions of good solid factory equipment at fire sale prices. This continued until 2001. Obviously you cannot manufacture without the equipment. Thankfully the PEOPLE were still alive to train a new generation of enthusiastic employees. I would tell friends of the auctions and loss of jobs but they couldn't see the problem in the loss of a few " factory " jobs. I became aware of this unfortunate trend in the 1970's with the loss of the textile mills in the southern United States in the 1970's. We were asleep at the wheel in Washington and actually gave tax incentives to companies who left..... Thanks for the ray of hope.

[@spaceman9946]

I would choose this just the fact that the workers are well compensated. These honest people deserves the support 🎉

[@aiistyt]

Go for it USA and I hope you’re successful but accept the fact that you only believe in free trade when it benefits you.

[@troycarpenter3675]

Accept the fact that you were nothing without us