President Gives Master Lock Shout Out In SOTU

Did you catch the Master Lock mention in President Obama's State of the Union speech last night?

The president referenced Master Lock, which has its administrative offices in Oak Creek, when discussing the importance of keeping jobs in the United States.

"We can't bring back every job that's left our shores. But right now, it's getting more expensive to do business in places like China," Obama said. "Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in fifteen years, Master Lock's unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity."

The company's chief executive, John Heppner, took part in a forum on "insourcing" at the White House earlier this month. Master Lock has brought about 100 jobs back to the United States from abroad since mid-2010. Its factory in Milwaukee is now running at capacity for the first time in 15 years.

"We are honored to be mentioned by the president in such a traditional and time-honored event as the State of the Union address," Heppner said in a news release. "As an American manufacturing company in business for approximately 90 years, we are proud to participate in the trend of 'insourcing' jobs back to the U.S."

How can that continue? During the White House forum, Heppner stressed two key challenges: improving access to skilled labor in North America and innovating the supply chain structure, which means exploring ways to improve efficiency and productivity.

"Whether through the State of the Union address or other means, we are happy that the issue of manufacturing in the U.S. is being highlighted, and we support and will continue to participate in meaningful dialogue to help improve the climate for manufacturing in this country," Heppner said. Much more needs to be done, and we look forward to engaging with the government, educational institutions and fellow businesses in the future."

Master Lock's headquarters are at 137 W. Forest Hill Ave.