{"id":20256,"date":"2022-12-01T16:54:08","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T16:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/01\/keeping-us-manufacturing-jobs-alive-in-olean-ny\/"},"modified":"2022-12-01T16:54:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-01T16:54:08","slug":"keeping-us-manufacturing-jobs-alive-in-olean-ny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/01\/keeping-us-manufacturing-jobs-alive-in-olean-ny\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping US Manufacturing Jobs Alive in Olean, NY"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Cutco kitchen implements I purchased.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I hadn\u2019t heard of Cutco until Dean Wegner, founder and CEO of Authentically American, asked if I\u2019d do a demo with his daughter, Kayla Wegner. <\/p>\n

I said sure. Kayla Wegner is a sales rep for the company and would receive credit for doing demos as part of her internship. <\/p>\n

I told myself I wasn\u2019t going to buy anything, plus, I already have a set of knives and wasn\u2019t in the market for a new set; I mostly wanted to help out Kayla. <\/p>\n

Kayla, however, is a master sales woman. By the middle of the demo, I was itching for a pen and paper to take notes. <\/p>\n

I ended up purchasing some utensils I needed (photo above) \u2014 my favorites being the kitchen shears (I\u2019ve needed a pair for years). They come apart for easy cleaning, and they\u2019re super sharp. <\/p>\n

That purchase was several months ago. Now that I\u2019ve used the shears just about every day, I\u2019m thinking, \u201cMmmmmm . . . Kayla, I now see I need some Cutco knives, and how about a non-dulling cutting board and the non-stick omelet pan?\u201d ?<\/p>\n

Made in the USA since 1940<\/h2>\n

Located in Olean, NY, a small town of 12,000 south of Buffalo near the Pennsylvania border, the Cutco factory employees 1,400 of the town\u2019s citizens. Average length of employment is over 20 years. <\/p>\n

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Photo \u00a9 Cutco<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Says Kayla, \u201cMy fellow sales reps and I were given a tour of the factory. Everyone was happy to see us and thanked us for the work we do \u2013 we keep them busy!\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to consumer knives and other kitchen implements, the company makes Ka-Bar utility knives for the military. To get the contract, Cutco had to prove it sourced all materials from US suppliers and that the entire manufacturing process was conducted stateside \u2013 which they proved, easily. \u201cIn fact,\u201d says Kayla, \u201ceven the machines used are made in the US.\u201d<\/p>\n

What I like about the Cutco story, however, is that the company still uses direct sales to sell its products. After I posted about my demo with Kayla on LinkedIn, I had several people comment that they either loved Cutco products or they had been Cutco sales reps themselves \u2013 and they shared fond memories! (View the conversation<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\"linkedin-cutco\"<\/p>\n

Sales training that creates a foundation for life<\/h2>\n

Before beginning her sales internship, Kayla was attending culinary school. \u201cThe sales program aligned really well with my schooling,\u201d she says. \u201cThe company hires high school and college graduates and teaches us how to sell high quality goods.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because they\u2019re made in the United States, Cutco\u2019s products do cost more, but Kayla and her fellow reps are taught to focus on the products\u2019 quality and materials \u2013 including how sharp the knives are.<\/p>\n

For example, one competitor\u2019s knives aren\u2019t dishwasher safe. Another competitor\u2019s knives are made from a brittle metal, which tends to chip or crack when cutting through chicken bones. <\/p>\n

\u201cCutco knives are manufactured from high carbon stainless steel and feature thermal resin ergonomic handles,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

In terms of being an employer, the company, she says, is incredible. \u201cIt\u2019s an encouraging, uplifting culture and people are always happy to help versus competing with others. Everyone is eager to share what they know to encourage success. You also learn business skills that will last you for life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guaranteed forever<\/h2>\n

Once you buy a Cutco knife or other implement, you can send it back for repair or sharpening. (Be sure to watch the video of a knife being sharpened at the factory.) The company, which fully intends to stay Made in USA, sells knives, flatware, and utensils, as well as cookware by Regal Manufacturing. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like a demo with Kayla Wegner, you can contact her directly via her Cutco page<\/a>. When you place an order through Kayla, she becomes your forever \u201cfree sharpening\u201d rep. She either comes to your home (if you live close by) to sharpen your knives or she\u2019ll help get your knives back to the factory. She also frequently offers \u201cBuy 3 Get 1 Free\u201d deals on her page.<\/p>\n

Now that I\u2019ve used their products, I\u2019m a huge fan and can\u2019t believe I\u2019ve gone all these years without knowing about this fantastic company! (Did I mention I love the kitchen shears? They also cut through bone.)<\/p>\n