Minnesota Sewn Product Manufacturers: Opportunities and Challenges

This research explored domestic sewn product manufacturing in Minnesota. There is growing interest in products made domestically to benefit from the opportunities to produce locally. Fourteen companies from across the state were interviewed about their experience with domestic manufacturing. A content analysis was conducted. Looking at motivations, the themes of personal values and economics developed; the local economy, control, and uniqueness arose as opportunities; and challenges included manufacturing resources and costs. These Minnesota manufacturers are driven to balance the opportunities and challenges of domestic manufacturing in part due to their personal values. Sustainability was not identified as a concern or a motivating factor