GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County shoe manufacturer has just announced it is expanding and plans to add 150 jobs.
The Okabashi Brands has been in Buford since 1983. The owner told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh, who toured the facility Friday morning, that for years, he's watched manufacturing jobs in the U.S. get shipped overseas. But he's managed to keep them local and he is adding more jobs.
Okabashi produces a wide range of flip-flops and flats. Officials said because they've been able to keep up with technology, their costs have remained competitive.
Now other companies want Okabashi to make their shoes instead of shipping those jobs abroad.
"We're competitive with pricing," said Brad Laporte, vice president of manufacturing. "We don't have freight. You don't have things sitting on the ocean for a month. We're able to fill your orders immediately."
They said another thing that has helped increase their business is the consumers' push for products made in America.
Gwinnett officials said though rare, they believe manufacturing jobs coming back will be key to the country's economic recovery.
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WSBTV
