In Defiance Thousands of companies who manufacture products in America are searching for authentic ways to tell their own stories without sounding like they’re patting themselves on the back. Others are searching for a genuine way to reinvigorate the skilled trades without making a recruiting commercial, or coming off as false, self-serving, or manipulative. I know this because I’ve talked to many such companies and encouraged them at every turn to tell their story in the only way I’ve ever seen to be effective - through the eyes of their own employees. Because no one can talk more honestly about the mission of an American-made enterprise than the people who do the actual work. Attached, for your consideration, is a short example of what that looks like. It’s a video from a company called DECKED which I suspect many of you have never heard of. DECKED makes a sliding drawer system that can be installed into the beds of virtually any pick-up truck. It’s an ingenious design that allows tradespeople, farmers, and hard workers of every stripe to access the stuff they haul around with remarkable ease. DECKED’s ingenuity has been rewarded with remarkable growth. The product is entirely American made, and 90% of their manufacturing is accomplished in a town called Defiance, Ohio, with 250 employees working away in several hundred thousand square feet of space, along with a LOT of machinery and technology that I won’t attempt to describe. Anyway, two of the principals, Greg Randolph and Bill Banta, decided to host a company event last week that brought together employees, local media, local politicians, and yours truly, to discuss the challenges of making things in America. More importantly, Greg and Bill had the good sense to record everything, edit it together in a sensible fashion, and then share it as broadly as possible. I promised to do my part to spread the word, and if you agree with the effort, I’d appreciate it if you passed this video on. Because what DECKED is doing in Defiance is important. And so, too, is the way they’re doing it. The bottom line is obvious. If America is to truly reinvigorate our manufacturing base, it’ll require something more than sensible policies and logical incentives out of DC. It’ll also require something more than trade unions fighting for a better deal from management. I’ve got nothing against unions, (at least, not all unions), and I understand the eternal struggle between labor and management. But this struggle is not that struggle, and even if it were, we can’t have the conversation we need to have with just 8% of the workforce, which is currently the percentage of workers represented by a union. This is a struggle for the essence of who we are as country and what kind of country we will become, if we simply give up on the challenge of making quality goods ourselves. This is about entrepreneurs betting on themselves, their people, and their ideas, despite a global playing field that’s not level, and the need to assume a level of risk that most Americans simply couldn’t stomach. DECKED is doing that. They’re manufacturing a terrific product in defiance of a great many obstacles. They’re also doing it in Defiance, literally, which is good news for Ohio, good news for the United States, and good news for the 250 employees who are proud of what they do, and eager to share the success of their company. Which you’ll see them do in the attached video. Please give it a look, and pass it on...

Oct 7, 2026 · Facebook

Growing barley for beer—we can't think of a more noble profession. Your Friday night might’ve started in this field. Should we make a Drawer System for combines? #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Oct 5, 2026 · Instagram

Dig day 4 and first day with bikes on the hill. Time for a rest day then right back into practice! Huge thank you to my crew for the insanely hard work - stoked to put tires to dirt🏜️ @trekbikes @pitviper @srammtb @rockshox @outdoorresearch @swatch @bellhelmets @teamnorthperformance @burgtec @deliumtires @thule @deckedusa @c3project @darkhorsebike 📷 @nataliecarriere #redbullrampage #redbull

Oct 4, 2026 · Instagram

You don’t know what you don’t know. But Karl Schwartz makes sure students *do* know one thing: there’s a ton of opportunity (and plenty of money to be made) in the skilled trades. As a career outreach coordinator in Bozeman, MT, Karl tells students straight that college is one path, not the only path. Tuition keeps climbing, and the return on a degree is never guaranteed. The trades offer in-demand, meaningful work that can more than pay the bills. Meet Karl and the others guiding and shaping the next generation of skilled tradespeople in “The Backbone of Everything,” Ep. 02: “Builders of Tomorrow.” Now live at the link in bio. #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Oct 3, 2026 · Instagram

Just like every person in America, we owe everything to the folks in skilled trades who make up the backbone of our country. That’s why we opened up our factory doors this week for the first-ever Builder’s Day, a summit with some of the brightest minds in the industry — including a certain iconic guest — to talk about the state of the trades and how we can usher in the next generation of blue-collar badasses. Stay tuned next week for more…like maybe the big reveal on our special guest? #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Oct 2, 2026 · Instagram

All that gear just to change a lightbulb? #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Sep 30, 2026 · Instagram

Now Live 🎥 “The Backbone of Everything: A Skilled Trades Story” Episode 02: “Builders of Tomorrow” With nearly half of the construction workforce approaching retirement, the industry faces a massive shortage of skilled tradespeople. As traditional college costs skyrocket and debt looms, hands-on learning, apprenticeship programs, and high school trade classes are offering a zero-debt path to lucrative, high-demand careers. It’s time to rethink success — and pass the torch to the next generation of builders. Head to the link in bio to watch the full episode. #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Sep 29, 2026 · Facebook

Who will be left to build the world? Episode 02: “Builders of Tomorrow” drops this Tuesday. Click the link in bio to catch Episode 01: “Breaking the Stigma,” featuring three tradespeople who forged their own paths, in our new series, “The Backbone of Everything: A Skilled Trades Story.” #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Sep 28, 2026 · Instagram

Some people run away from danger, plumbers grab their flashlight. #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Sep 26, 2026 · Instagram

A down jacket with shorts is always a solid move. Your Land Cruiser 250 represents over 70 years of heritage. Treat it with respect — it wasn't built to haul a mess. The DECKED Drawer System keeps gear accessible and organized so you can grab what you need without unloading half your stuff. It sports a 150-lb drawer capacity and a 300-lb payload on the top deck, so you can get more “U” from your SUV. #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #flyfishing #SUV

Sep 25, 2026 · Instagram

The old two-drawer setup wasn't broken. But the upgrade you *need* is never as fun as the one you *want*. #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Sep 24, 2026 · Facebook

Any day on the water is a good time. Setting the hook from a hull you built from scratch? Unmatched. Just ask the crew at @xplorboatworks #DECKEDUSA #GetDECKED #GetAfterIt

Sep 23, 2026 · Instagram