The Collapse Of US Manufacturing Is Centered On One Sector

[FarCenter]

Brookings has a big report out today about the decline of US manufacturing.

Job loss has been unbelievably bad in one sector: clothes.

Jobs at textile mills declined 63 percent from 2001 to 2009; apparel jobs declined 61 percent; and leather jobs declined 51 percent.

Even iconic brands like Levi Jeans aren't made in America anymore.

American Apparel only gets away with US manufacturing thanks to premium branding and cheap immigrant labor.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-collapse-of-us-manufacturing-is-centered-in-one-sector-2012-2

[xchrom]

1. this country had a rich textile history at one point.

sad to let such an iconic, rich manufacturing tradition go.

[tblue37]

3. As a teenager in Pennsylvania, I worked in dress factories and belonged to the ILGWU--

The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, once one of the country's largest labor unions.

[DebJ]

2. I can tell that whenever I buy and then must wash and wear them.

Ten washes and the stuff turns to crap.

[RDANGELO]

4. How much cotton do we grow in this country?

It's crazy to let it leave here to be made into clothes.

[Skidmore]

5. When does the backlash come for the fashion industry.

Personally, I've had it with the pretentiousness of designer this and that and would just dearly love to see serviceable quality clothing available here again.

[Robb]

6. Maybe a reduced tax rate on manufacturing will help.