Dalen Products Inc., which makes gardening products for Walmart and other national retailers, is moving production of a plastic owl from China back to its Knoxville facility.
Since 1997, Dalen has been making a rotating-head owl garden “scarecrow” in China where labor costs are cheaper, said Neal Caldwell, the company’s founder.
But Walmart, which sells the product in its stores, is interested in companies moving production back to the United States, he said — “They have encouraged us to bring home what we can.”
Caldwell said the Natural Enemy Scarecrow Rotating-Head Owl was a marginal product to produce in China, due to high shipping costs, and that higher labor costs in Knoxville will be offset by not having to pay those shipping costs.
Dalen Products will likely be adding jobs for its owl production, but it is not yet clear how many, Caldwell said. The company will be looking for other overseas products to bring back for local production, he added.
In a news release, Walmart said U.S.-made rotating-head owls will be available on the retailer’s shelves beginning next month.
“We are excited to work with Dalen Products, Inc., to create jobs and bring our customers more U.S.-made products in our lawn and garden area,” Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart’s executive vice president of consumables and U.S. manufacturing, said in the release. “Walmart is dedicated to help revitalize the nation’s manufacturing base through our support and commitment to U.S.-based suppliers. An increase in U.S.-made products for our customers helps manufacturers create more jobs here in America.”
Dalen’s facility is located near Lovell Road, north of Interstate 40, and the company marked the re-shoring initiative with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning. Dalen’s portfolio also includes products such as landscape fabrics, fencing and frost protection items.
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