阅读理解
Manufacturing（制造业）
is an important industry in the United States. However, for many
years, Americans have expressed fear that the industry is in danger.
Matthew
Burnett knows this all too well. The American businessman started a watch company
in 2007. At first, he had overseas（海外的） manufacturers
make all his products. As a result, Burnett often faced shipping delays（延误）, a lack（缺乏） of quality control, and time zone
problems. Later, he developed into leather goods. Still, he tried to find factories
in the country to make the wallets, belts, and other products of his new brand.
And he was not alone. Many American businessmen found it easier to go out of the
country for manufacturing. There was no central marketplace for the industry.
So, Matthew
Burnett, and his business partner Tanya Menendez, created one. They called it Maker's
Row. Since 2012, the online marketplace has been connecting businessmen with American
manufacturers.
Matthew
Burnett explains. "What we try to do at Maker's Row is to encourage the brands
to start producing in the United States so that you see more made in America products
on the shelves. We used to produce 97 percent of the goods that we consume here
in the United States, today it's less than three percent. So it makes it very challenging
to find sometimes made in America products, but that's the situation we're trying
to change, by bringing these brands back home to produce."
Maker's
Row helps brands and businesses find and organize their supply chains（供应链）in the country. Besides, Maker's Row can be especially helpful to new
or part-time entrepreneurs（企业家）. The site, Makersrow.com, can provide a plan for turning
an idea into a business. And co-founder Tanya Menendez says Maker's Row offers classes
and training. "We have an online course. They're designed for people with busy
lifestyles or those who may start off working 9-to-5." Today, the Maker's Row
website has 80,000 registered users.
The BCG
company in Boston advises businesses around the world. It estimates（估计） the average cost to manufacture goods in the U.S. is only five-percent
higher than in China. And the company predicts（预计） that
by 2018 the cost difference will narrow further, to as little as two percent higher.
Maker's Row and other similar efforts could play a big part in making that prediction
come true.
