The Carlstar Group is hopeful about an executive order signed by President Joe Biden that promises the federal government will steer its own purchasing toward American-made products. The president says the goal is to support U.S. manufacturing jobs.
“We are very encouraged by the President’s efforts to strengthen the Buy American Provisions by directing more of the federal government spend on goods and services towards supporting America’s workers and businesses," says Jacob Thomas, CEO of The Carlstar Group. "Regardless of what part of the political spectrum you support, buying American-made products is just good for U.S. manufacturing and the businesses, such as Carlstar, which are committed to it."
The executive order, signed Jan. 25, sets goals and processes for federal purchasing, and is designed to close loopholes in the policy, which the White House says hasn't been updated substantially since the Eisenhower administration. Biden is also appointing a director of the Made-in-America program at the Office of Management and Budget to oversee the implementation of the plan.
Carlstar has tire manufacturing plants in Clinton and Jackson, Tenn., plus a wheel manufacturing plant in Aiken, S.C.
“We invest millions of dollars each year into our U.S. manufacturing plants to launch new products, and to make them more productive," Thomas says. "These investments also enable us to be good corporate citizens in the communities where our employees work and live. As the only domestic specialty tire manufacturer in America, we are strongly encouraged by this focus at the federal level for American-made products and for recognizing the impact that manufacturing has on our economy. Our U.S. facilities, supported by a vast national dealer network, stand ready to answer the call.”