5. What We Make

Portland may not be the biggest city in the United States by population or economy, but its manufacturing industry is nothing to laugh at. Portland is the home of a huge variety of manufacturing businesses, from steel, paper, food, electronics, transportation equipment, chemicals, furniture, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, textiles, eco-friendly products and much more(1). I will focus on just two companies, Schnitzer Steel Industries and Keen.

Schnitzer Steel Industries is one of the largest grossing companies in Portland, bringing in 3.5 billion dollars a year in sales and it's Portland location employs 69 people. They create parts for heating equipment, iron and steel mills, motor vehicles and structural metal products(1).

Many companies are manufacturing their products in Asia in order to lower overhead costs. Keen, a shoe company, is keeping some of its manufacturing in Portland. Keen is an outdoor products company, which focuses on shoes. In 2008 they moved their company from Alameda, California to Portland, Oregon. Chief executive of Keen, James Curleigh, when asked about their manufacturing in Portland said, "It's not so much flying our flag in America, it's about having sourcing options for the future"(2).




1.http://www.allbusiness.com/companyprofile/Schnitzer_Steel_Industries_Inc/B6A923AA686F75996516EA8B7BCDD1ED-1.html

2. http://www.blueoregon.com/news/2253/