The Importance of American-made Products

By Anna Lockhart.  

Heidi visits with business development manager for Drexel Metals, Brian McLaughlin. 

In season 1, episode 4 of the Metal Cast podcast Heidi J. Ellsworth sat with Brian McLaughlin, Eastern sales and business development manager for Drexel Metals and discussed the importance of products that are made in America.  

Drexel Metals has built a name for themselves by focusing on sourcing American-made products. A trusted business for metal roofing systems and custom services, Drexel Metals has been making a difference in the industry since 1985. “Our aluminum products, our steel products, all come from within that North American footprint,” says Brian. “Buying within the North American footprint allows us to control our quality of our product better, which means a better product to our customers, our contractors in the field.” 

American manufacturers are known to have stricter production standards than other nations, and by sourcing American-made materials, there is a greater guarantee that the products and materials are high quality.  

Sourcing locally made materials is not just beneficial quality wise, but it also is better sustainability wise. Heidi pointed out, “That ability to buy local, which is going to bring the carbon footprint down and also made in America... those are really important not just for business and for our contractors, but also for the overall sustainability movement.” 

Drexel Metals is committed to providing the best quality products and materials possible. Discussing their quality assurance program, Brian said, “We kind of look at it as if you're a car manufacturer, you don't just focus on the engine or the tires, you focus on the whole assembly. And that's the same thing with metal roofing.” He continues, “We have a program called the DMR. It's a regional manufacturing program and the first part of that is certifying those that are fabricating the product, our product. And through that certification is making sure that they're following the guidelines, the tolerances. We have a go-no-go gauge block, which basically enables the fabricator to know whether or not that product's within tolerance, the metal roof panel that comes out of that portable machine.”  

Listen to the podcast or read the transcription to learn more about the importance of American-made products.  

Learn more about Drexel Metals in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit drexmet.com.