Marriott’s bold move

Every once in a while, an American firm makes a statement about their support for American manufacturing and American workers.  Such a statement was recently made by Marriott, the iconic American hotel company.  Marriott recently announced that it would be supplying its American hotels with towels made by Standard Textile here in the U.S. Annually, Marriott will be buying 2.6 million bath towels and 4.9 million hand towels made in America, with American cotton, by members of our extended American family. In order to meet this demand, Standard Textile is adding 150 manufacturing jobs at its production facilities in the States.  And according to Abha Bhattarai of The Washington Post, this move will not cost Marriott a dime more than it is paying now.

While Marriott’s decision to support American jobs by buying American made products is huge, it should be just the beginning.  What if all the hotel chains in the U.S. made a similar commitment?  Think how many more manufacturing jobs would be created for members of our extended American family?  So come on Sheraton!  Get with the program Westin!  Don’t be a slacker Hyatt!  If all the other American hotel chains had the commitment to support American workers that Marriott has, lots of Americans, now out of work, would be employed.

The best way to support Marriott’s American made initiative is simple; if you are planning a trip somewhere and need a hotel to stay at during your visit, I got one word for you: Marriott!  If you are traveling on business and the travel planner at your firm books you at a hotel other than Marriott, mention Marriott’s bold program to support American manufacturing and American workers to the hotel’s general manager.  Who knows, you could play a role in that hotel chain getting on board with Marriott’s bold vision to support American workers.  What a deal!