A local company is getting national attention by being featured on Diane Sawyer's "Made in America" series on the ABC website.
The series, which features American companies that manufacture goods exclusively in the United States, has placed Goodhew sock company on a list containing only 13 others statewide and may further feature the Chattanooga company.
Goodhew partner and co-founder Jim Markley, left, poses with director of account relations Emily Eckardt and a few of Goodhew's products, all of which are manufactured in the United States.Goodhew partner and co-founder Jim Markley said Goodhew isn't satisfied with simply manufacturing its products in the United States and plans to expand its American-made mission.
"We are on a mission to have all of our wool grown in the USA, super-washed in the USA and spun in the USA," he said of the wool-blend leisure and therapeutic socks his company produces.
In addition to Goodhew's push to do more production in the United States, Markley said the company is working to do more manufacturing here in Chattanooga.
Currently Goodhew manufactures between 15 and 20 percent of its product line at Heritage Hosiery and is trying to find a way to produce as much of its product there as possible, said Markley.
Goodhew's socks are made with cashmerino/bamboo and lambswool/alpaca blends in addition to the standard cashmerino socks. These wool selections give the socks a "softer, more refined feel," said Markley. And director of account relations Emily Eckardt pointed out that even Goodhew's therapeutic socks feature a fashionable design aesthetic.
"People always tell me they don't want to put a sock on that makes them look 25 years older," said Markley.
Goodhew's therapeutic line, Sockwell, features compression socks and diabetic socks, but aren't just for people with existing health conditions, said Markley.
Wearing a compression sock all day increases blood circulation to the foot and keeps feet from swelling and fatiguing, he said.
Compression socks can also be worn as a proactive measure to keep legs healthy and prevent varicose veins.
Goodhew socks range from $11.99 to $18.99 for a single pack and $19.99 to $29.99 for a two-pack. Locally, Goodhew socks are available at Rock Creek Outfitters, N2 Shoes, Bruce Baird & Co., Fast Break Athletics and the Sears shoe store, said Eckardt.
To view Goodhew on the ABC website visit http://abcnews.go. com/WN/MadeInAmerica/.
For more information about Goodhew visit its website at www.goodhew.us.com .