For the third year in a row, the world’s largest retailer, Walmart opened its doors to more than 450 entrepreneurs during the company’s “Made in the USA” Open Call event on Thursday for products made, assembled or grown in the US. The event was part of Walmart’s annual US Manufacturing Summit, hosted at the company’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, the company announced on its website. Hundreds of potential and current suppliers representing companies large and small from coast to coast pitched everything from food to toys to apparel, and meeting with hundreds of Walmart’s buyers for the chance to sell their US made products at Walmart. The company put every shelf-stable item pitched at Open Call today on Walmart.com. “We are thrilled to put hundreds of new Made in the USA products on Walmart.com,” said Michelle Gloeckler, executive vice president, Consumables, Health & Wellness, US Manufacturing Lead. “Walmart’s $250 billion commitment to buy products supporting American jobs is having a tangible impact on communities across the country as factories expand or open to make products for Walmart stores, Walmart.com and Sam’s Club.” “Landing a deal with Walmart was huge for our small company,” said Courtny Squibb with Schultz Laboratories MFR., Inc. in Granger, Iowa. “Since last year’s Open Call, our white diamond metal polish is now in more than 2,500 Walmart stores and Walmart.com.” The 2016 US Manufacturing Summit and Open Call, with companies attending from more than 40 states and nearly 800 meetings taking place, are part of Walmart’s commitment to investing in American jobs, having pledged in 2013 to purchase an additional $250 billion in US made products by 2023.
