Since my early years in the Water Works industry, at Macon Water Authority, I have followed what I was taught from the very beginning. Buy domestic products when and where you can. That was our policy. I did not start it. But I sure did believe in it. I still do.
It has become increasingly more difficult to maintain that position through the years. Which, if I’m being honest is one reason that I zeroed in on selling concrete pipe. The product, by nature of freight alone, demands it be made locally. In general, I’ve found it is easy to stay focused on what I truly believe in.
I watched the City of Griffin, Georgia become economically gutted, due to textiles moving over seas. Many family members and friends lost so much during these years. That city, though a ‘burb of Atlanta, has never recovered. Griffins’ story of economic depression and rise in crime has played out over America a thousand times over. Since the textile factories shut their doors and moved over seas the crime rate has increased to 59 per one thousand residents. One of the highest in the country regardless of size, citing documented sources. This trend must be reversed.
Despite the hardship of finding Made In America products, we have been fortunate to experience strong growth in our product offerings. All without compromising our standards.
With that spirit in mind, we are pleased to announce the addition of two great product lines for representation. Both have a long history making products here in America. For clarity and equal opportunity purposes, I will introduce one today and the other in my next blog. The aim is to showcase these individually and I have chosen to do so in the order in which they have honored us with the right to market their product on a local level in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
First, let me introduce Gulf State Hangers and Supports. In 1977 they began filling a need for the local construction industry in and around Mobile, Alabama. Located in Theodore, Alabama, GSH is a second generation company offering American made, Buy American and AIS Compliant pipe Hangers and Supports. In particular, though we support the entire product offering, we have been asked to inherently focus on DOT Bridge Pipe Hangers due to our continued focus on DOT projects.
Let me say this, if we as an industry, and we should, could realize that our focus for now must be contingent upon rebuilding America after the devastating effects of the economy surrounding the Covid-19 Pandemic. Then Buy American becomes the clearest choice.
If you are in the market for DOT/Municipal approved AIS products, whether Bridge, Lift Station or MEP pipe hangers and supports, please do not hesitate to contact Wayne at: atcoflorida@icloud.com
Wayne Atkinson, Inc. 