What’s John Ratzenberger’s Favorite Pixar Voice?
Can you guess the answer? Watch the video “What’s John Ratzenberger’s Favorite Pixar Voice?” from ABC – Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis.
Made In America owner may expand beyond WNY
Written by David Bertola / Buffalo Business First Reporter – Buffalo Business First Made In America Store, which has four area locations, may open other locations outside the region. Owner Mark Andol, who also runs General Welding & Fabricating Inc. in Elma, said that he’s considering a local mall, as well as sites in Erie, Pa., Missouri and Tennessee. Currently, he operates stores near the General Welding site, plus those in McKinley Mall, Eastern Hills Mall and in Niagara Falls, which opened since 2013. He said that the flagship store, located at 900 Maple Road in Elma, has become a tourist destination that this past year, hosted its 380th tour bus. All total, he said the stores generate about $2 million in revenues. Between both companies, he employs about 70. In 2010, the year Andol opened his first store, he hosted a visiting Russian TV network. He launched the retail store because his metal working company was losing work to overseas competitors, causing him to lay off staff. All total, Andol said his 18,000 square-foot distribution center houses 6,500 different products, which he researches to make sure that products he sells are 100 percent American made. That means that if a twist tie or piece of cellophane packaging on a prospective product are sourced overseas, they don’t make their way to his store shelves. Recently, Andol has partnered with actor John Ratzenberger, who was in Buffalo in November and signed a Made in America gift box. Ratzenberger starred in the TV sitcom “Cheers” and hosted a show about U.S.-made products. “He’s a carpenter, and I’m a metal guy,” said Andol, who said he also featured in a documentary about American-made products. The film, which can be downloaded here. “It’s a feature documentary but inspirational,” Andol said. “This was about four years in the making, and it raises awareness and helps people know more about consumer products. It went to video-on-demand this past spring. It shows the importance of buying and producing more than you consume in our...
Buy American, Watch Your Taxes Go Down
Written by Bonnie Lee / Taxpertise / Published December 19, 2014 on FOXBusiness You remember Cliff Claven, the postman from the popular television series, Cheers? He’d philosophize and pontificate and come up with the most interesting factoids. Well, Cliff Claven was played by talented comedian and actor John Ratzenberger. I recently had the opportunity to interview him about buying American made products. And with only a few shopping days left until Christmas, that’s exactly was Ratzenberger wants us to do. Ratzenberger is touring the country promoting the concept of buying American. In fact, he and entrepreneur Mark Andol have created a website, madeinamericastore.com, which educates the public on the advantages and necessity of buying American and also sells American made products. Currently on special for the holidays are gift boxes of made-in-America products designed for children, men, and women, respectively. He gives an example as to why, if we want to experience economic growth, it is important to buy American. “If you buy a T-shirt made in China for $4-5 cheaper than you can get here, you will eventually put the American T-shirt company out of business.” This company will then no longer pay for a business license (tax), collect and pay sales taxes, or pay income taxes to the state and to Uncle Sam. Lower tax revenues eventually lead to economic decline. It also leads to the missing tax dollars being made up by the rest of the population. “It’s a domino effect,” Ratzenberger says. “I know a lot of truckers in Los Angeles. They used to take a truck load of merchandise back east and return with a full load of merchandise to be shipped out from L.A. to points around the world. You know what they’re telling me now? They’re coming back empty.” This is a reduction in the trucker’s pay. Therefore a reduction in the amount of taxes he pays. Everyone is affected. If there are fewer truckers on the road, there’s less need for truck stops and fuel and junk food too. Ratzenberger grew up in Bridgeport, Ct., a manufacturing town. He started out as a journeyman carpenter. In fact, he helped build the stage at Woodstock. “All my heroes were people who could make things. Manufacturing is our strength. It’s the people who get up in the morning and put their hands to something that make America strong. But they are eliminating shop courses in schools and people are losing skills.” Ratzenberger feels that this must change or our country will suffer. Ratzenberger claims the tools made by American manufacturers, such as the Estwing hammer, will last far longer than its Chinese counterpart. He says, “I can spot a Chinese...
Fox 6 WBRC John Ratzenberger Segment
Best known for portraying TV’s most famous mailman ever, the philosophical ‘Cliff Clavin’ on iconic Cheers and the only star to appear in every Pixar film, Ratzenberger has touted buying American-made products for some time, emphasizes the need for more manufacturing jobs and is vocal on why we must commit to investing in growing our skilled labor force. The holiday gift boxes put together by the Made in America Store is a great idea and another way to bring attention to this critical issue of putting our country back to work, keeping manufacturing alive and buying domestic made merchandise. By endorsing American-made goods, John and the Made in America Store team are supporting American workers, families and businesses at the most important time of year. As a country, they are at the forefront of making a conscious effort to communicate that all of us should buy American whenever we can. American manufacturing generates $1.8 trillion in GDP; it’s time to stimulate our own economy. John emphasizes, “I, myself, am on the frontline of involvement and recently established the Foundation for America which is dedicated to helping train the next generation of skilled laborers.” For more on Ratzenberger, visit ratzenberger.com and for more on the Made in America boxes, visit madeinamericastore.com. Check out the online article to read the full story...
‘The Santa Con’ Star Is a Favorite of Sitcoms & Pixar
On Bustle online, Kayla Hawkins asks: What Is John Ratzenberger From? She says: …if you’re wondering what roles John Ratzenberger has played, the answer is: all of them. Or at least, more than you’d think. In the time he doesn’t spend acting, Ratzenberger stumps for more goods and services to be made in the USA. His reality show, Made in America, covered his journey around the country to profile different American manufacturers. And on his website, Ratzenberger sells gift baskets made up of household goods that are produced on American soil. So enjoy The Santa Con and look forward to whatever animated character Ratzenberger will undoubtedly be adding to the cast of Inside Out. Click here to read the full article by Kayla Hawkins...
John Ratzenberger talks Made in America and more on Wake Up
John Ratzenberger talks Made in America and more on Wake Up On WIAT 42 News: You may know him as Cliff Clavin, Hammy the Piggy Bank, or even the Abominable Snowman, but John Ratzenberger doesn’t just love acting, he enjoys helping manufacturers of American made products. Nowadays you can find John on Made in America, a show he produces and hosts. The show focuses on American made products, a topic near and dear to his heart. He has also recently established the Foundation for America which he hopes will help raise money to support school districts and non-profit organizations around the country to teach kids trade. Check out the full...