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ALASKA RUG COMPANY SELECTED FOR 2019 MADE IN AMERICA PRODUCT SHOWCASE AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Alaska Rug Company's indoor-outdoor accent rugs, hand-woven from recycled Alaskan fishing rope and line, were presented at the annual Made in America Product Showcase at the White House.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Monday, July 15, 2019, Alaska Rug Company represented its namesake state in the third annual Made in America Product Showcase hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House.
The President and Vice President Mike Pence reviewed displays by businesses from all 50 states at the event "to highlight and celebrate American-made products," a White House official said. "In today's booming economy, President Trump and his Administration are proud to tout businesses that create jobs and support our local communities."
Alaska Rug Company owners Anita and Robert Shane are committed to re-purposing gear from fishing vessels, beaches, and landfills into rugs and decorative accents.
Alaska Rug Company, the only rug company selected this year, showcased American-made, knotted and handcrafted nautical home products made from recycled authentic Alaskan fishing line and rope. The eco-friendly items include doormats, bowls, custom signs, throw rugs, coasters, trivets, and crosses.
Brian and Karen Hansz, friends of Alaska Rug Company owners Anita and Robert Shane, represented the couple at the White House for the Made in America product presentation.
"The invitation took us completely by surprise," co-owner and artisan, Anita Shane told RugNews.com. "We are proud to play a small part in driving awareness of the importance of making American products," she said, noting that she and her husband, co-owner Robert Shane, "were thrilled to have our efforts highlighted in this way and honored to represent the great state of Alaska." Equally exciting: At the event President Trump purchased a sign from Alaska Rug Company's display reading "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," the White House address.
On display at the White House, Alaska Rug Company's products crafted from recycled fishing line woven into its rugs, trivets, coasters and customizable decorative signs.
The company sells to gift shops throughout Alaska, and offers its running line as well as custom items on e-commerce. When the couple bought a decommissioned Port Bailey cannery on Kodiak Island in Alaska in 2003, the facility was filled with everything used by workers from bed sheets to fishing gear. "They were taking up space and of no use to fisherman," said Anita Shane. "I originally used the old sheets found in the laundry room to make rag rugs. But since we have far more rope, line and gear on this island that needs a place to go when it retires from fishing, it seemed to be a perfect fit to make functional items from it."
A yellow rope rug is handmade from recycled Alaskan crab line which is durable for heavy traffic areas and easy to clean with a garden hose. The roughness of the rope scrapes dirt and grime off boots.
"When I found out that it costs money to dispose of old gear at the landfill, I started spreading the word among fisherman and on social media that we will take it from them rather than have it end up in the ocean or on beaches -- or the fisherman having to pay to dispose of it. I figured out the other day that we have so far used a little over 4,000,000 feet of old rope that would have otherwise been disposed of," Shane said.
"Over half of our customers purchase products from us because they are Made in Alaska, USA, and the other half because of the recycled/up-cycled aspect," she added. "It seems over the last year people are paying more attention to whether or not items are made in the USA. I believe it is becoming more important to Americans, due to a lot more awareness and the pride in our country."
The following companies were represented at the 2019 Made in America Product Showcase:
Alabama
Redline Steel, LLC
Alaska
Alaska Rug Company
Arizona
Arizona Chile Roasters
Arkansas
Rich-N-Tone Calls, Inc.
California
HOSTYLE Racing Products, LLC
Colorado
Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle, Co.
Connecticut
Luke's Toy Factory
Delaware
Backyard Jams & Jellies, Inc.
Florida
Kino Sandals, Inc.
Georgia
2 Day Designs
Hawaii
Ocean Organic Vodka
Idaho
Buck Knives, Inc.
Illinois
Stern Pinball, Inc.
Indiana
Janus Motorcycles
Iowa
Bannor Toys
Kansas
Cobalt Bolts
Kentucky
QuaLex Manufacturing
Louisiana
McIlhenny Company
Maine
Jack Traps, Inc.
Maryland
THAAD, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Massachusetts
KettlePizza, LLC
Michigan
Michigan Mittens
Minnesota
3M
Mississippi
Cheese Straw Factory
Missouri
Snake Bite Co.
Montana
Schnee's
Nebraska
T-L Irrigation Co.
Nevada
Fisher Space Pen So.
New Hampshire
BaileyWorks, Inc.
New Jersey
Benjamin Moore & Co.
New Mexico
Weaver Guitar Straps
New York
Tough Traveler Ltd.
North Carolina
Council Tool Company
North Dakota
Dakota Micro, Inc.
Ohio
Airstream, Inc.
Oklahoma
Gameday Ironworks
Oregon
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Pennsylvania
Zippo Manufacturing Company
Rhode Island
WaterRower, Inc.
South Carolina
Freeman Boatworks
South Dakota
Dakota Grills, LLC
Tennessee
Litespeed Bicycles
Texas
Nokona
Utah
ENVE Composites
Vermont
Johnson Woolen Mills
Virginia
The Little Burros
Washington
CMI Orchards, LLC
West Virginia
Marble King, Inc.
Wisconsin
Carmex
Wyoming
Jackson Hole Hat Co.