Hatfield’s Rodon Group to be featured in documentary film – North Penn Life … – Montgomery Newspapers

When President Obama came to the Hatfield headquarters of The Rodon Group — makers of such popular products as K’NEX and Tinkertoy construction sets — two weeks ago to talk about the fiscal cliff, he cited the company’s devotion to keeping manufacturing jobs in America, rather than outsourcing them overseas, as a primary reason for his visit.

That commitment to maintaining an American workforce will soon be highlighted in another prominent forum, as Rodon is one of several companies featured in the forthcoming documentary, “Made in the USA: The 30 Day Journey.”

The 90-minute feature film, which is in the final stages of post-production, is the brainchild of Charleston, W. Va., independent filmmaker Josh Miller. In the spring, Miller and a small film crew crisscrossed the country for 30 days, attempting to live only on U.S.-made products, and visiting companies dedicated to keeping their manufacturing jobs in America. They dropped by Rodon May 15 — the 15th day of the journey — to tour the facility and interview president and CEO Michael Araten.

“It was so cool to go through their factory and see these products being made right in front of your eyes,” said Miller, 27. “And it was really enjoyable to hear someone of Michael’s stature be so positive about the Made in the USA movement.

Araten was more than happy to participate in the film.

“He explained that he was researching businesses that were trying to reverse the trend of jobs going overseas and he came across us,” Araten said of Miller. “He asked if we were willing to share our story, and we said yes. I’m proud of our story. I think it’s one that can be a beacon to others about how you can make the decision to focus on and strengthen your local community through manufacturing.”

The impetus for the film, explained Miller, was his father losing his job at a West Virginia aluminum plant in 2009.

“It got me thinking where things were made and what kind of trouble this economy is in,” said Miller, who raised more than $14,000 through online fundraising and contributions from a handful of small investors to finance the project.

“I decided to do this film to show people that manufacturing is the heart and lifeblood of this country. Reshoring jobs should be a no-brainer. America is a family, and you have to take care of your family. If you can’t take care of them, how are you going to take care of anything else?”

Miller said he was particularly impressed with Rodon’s investment in technology and automation, something Araten said has been crucial “to compete on a global scale.”

“We need consumers to be able to sell to, which means we need as many people in the U.S. as possible with good-paying jobs. If I can help create those jobs for our couple hundred employees, the ripple effect can be huge as far as showing other businesspeople how to do it,” he said.

Even if outsourcing jobs might improve Rodon’s bottom line, “we’d rather make a little less money now and have our community be stronger for the longer term. We’ve been very fortunate, so having a few percent less or a few percent more isn’t going to change the way I live, but hopefully it will make our communities a little bit stronger. And, frankly, that can allow us to make more money over time, while doing it in a way that makes the planet a little bit better,” Araten said.

Miller hopes that the film, which he aims to have released in theaters in early 2013, will not only demonstrate how U.S. businesses like Rodon can reshore jobs and still be successful, but will also inspire viewers to buy only American-made products to help keep businesses from sending jobs abroad.

“I want people to feel that their small decisions can change the course of this nation and turn around our economy,” Miller said. “I’m not trying to put people’s feet to the fire, but I want them to look at labels and realize they have a choice about what their future holds. I want them to think, ‘Hey, what can I do to make a difference?’ and then go out there and do it. I think it’s important for this country.”

That commitment to maintaining an American workforce will soon be highlighted in another prominent forum, as Rodon is one of several companies featured in the forthcoming documentary, “Made in the USA: The 30 Day Journey.”

The 90-minute feature film, which is in the final stages of post-production, is the brainchild of Charleston, W. Va., independent filmmaker Josh Miller. In the spring, Miller and a small film crew crisscrossed the country for 30 days, attempting to live only on U.S.-made products, and visiting companies dedicated to keeping their manufacturing jobs in America. They dropped by Rodon May 15 — the 15th day of the journey — to tour the facility and interview president and CEO Michael Araten.

“It was so cool to go through their factory and see these products being made right in front of your eyes,” said Miller, 27. “And it was really enjoyable to hear someone of Michael’s stature be so positive about the Made in the USA movement.

Araten was more than happy to participate in the film.

“He explained that he was researching businesses that were trying to reverse the trend of jobs going overseas and he came across us,” Araten said of Miller. “He asked if we were willing to share our story, and we said yes. I’m proud of our story. I think it’s one that can be a beacon to others about how you can make the decision to focus on and strengthen your local community through manufacturing.”

The impetus for the film, explained Miller, was his father losing his job at a West Virginia aluminum plant in 2009.

“It got me thinking where things were made and what kind of trouble this economy is in,” said Miller, who raised more than $14,000 through online fundraising and contributions from a handful of small investors to finance the project.

“I decided to do this film to show people that manufacturing is the heart and lifeblood of this country. Reshoring jobs should be a no-brainer. America is a family, and you have to take care of your family. If you can’t take care of them, how are you going to take care of anything else?”

Miller said he was particularly impressed with Rodon’s investment in technology and automation, something Araten said has been crucial “to compete on a global scale.”

Araten added that he appreciated the opportunity Miller gave him to explain Rodon’s philosophy in sticking with American workers.

“We need consumers to be able to sell to, which means we need as many people in the U.S. as possible with good-paying jobs. If I can help create those jobs for our couple hundred employees, the ripple effect can be huge as far as showing other businesspeople how to do it,” he said.

Even if outsourcing jobs might improve Rodon’s bottom line, “we’d rather make a little less money now and have our community be stronger for the longer term. We’ve been very fortunate, so having a few percent less or a few percent more isn’t going to change the way I live, but hopefully it will make our communities a little bit stronger. And, frankly, that can allow us to make more money over time, while doing it in a way that makes the planet a little bit better,” Araten said.

Miller hopes that the film, which he aims to have released in theaters in early 2013, will not only demonstrate how U.S. businesses like Rodon can reshore jobs and still be successful, but will also inspire viewers to buy only American-made products to help keep businesses from sending jobs abroad.

“I want people to feel that their small decisions can change the course of this nation and turn around our economy,” Miller said. “I’m not trying to put people’s feet to the fire, but I want them to look at labels and realize they have a choice about what their future holds. I want them to think, ‘Hey, what can I do to make a difference?’ and then go out there and do it. I think it’s important for this country.