We are engaged in a social mission to provide jobs and income to artisans around the world. We import from over 35 countries and work with over 120 artisan groups that are struggling with poverty. The expiration of GSP not only impacts our social mission but jeopardizes our ability to grow our store network and provide new jobs in the United States. GSP is vitally important to the on-going health of our organization and our 225 U.S. employees.
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Craig R. Schloneger, CEO
Ten Thousands Villages
Akron, PA 17501
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We’ve been importing chromium trioxide from Kazakhstan for several years. The payment of duties because of GSP expiration has hurt our competitiveness, caused us to lose sales, and reduced our need for warehouse labor due to the lower sales volume.
Reinstatement of the GSP program will enable us to resume our company’s growth (and the resultant employment).
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Ben Brock
Hunter Chemical LLC
Fort Washington, PA 19034
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We manufacture footwear components from sole leather purchased in Argentina. Our customer base is comprised primarily of domestic footwear manufacturers. Our largest customers are based in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, Maine, Washington and of course, here in Pennsylvania.
There is no sole leather made in the USA today, thus it has to be imported. The higher cost due to the expiration of the GSP threatens not only jobs in our factory in Williamsport, but literally coast to coast.
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Dave Murdock, Co-Owner
Keystone Leather
Williamsport, PA 17701
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