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John Ratzenberger's Made in America is an American documentary television series hosted by John Ratzenberger. The series premiered January 6, 2004, on the Travel Channel. Ratzenberger visits various American manufacturers, taking the show's viewers along on the tours and showing how various everyday items are made. The show has visited a variety of factories, including Crayola, Airstream, Yankee Candle, Samuel Adams Brewery, Ruger, Delta Faucet Company, and Rodgers Instruments.
2004
First stop is Nashville, Tennessee, home to the guitar company, Gibson. John chats with country music stars Steve Earle, Dan Seals and Joe Diffie, who all swear by Gibson. Seals and Diffie -- whom John meets with at The Gibson Bluegrass Showcase -- even perform an original song that Seals wrote in honor of their guitars. Later, John heads to the Gibson rough mill, where he sees a Les Paul Supreme (named after the legendary guitarist) being constructed. At the mill, John is given a tour by manager Tom Montgomery, and watches sander Matt Branch, neck-setter Jimmy Wright, waxer Brenda Reid, airbrush artist Rebecca Green, buffer Rich Coleman and tuner Jay Thompson in action. Next stop is Oaks, Pennsylvania, where flag outfit Annin & Co. is located. John chats with V.P. of Manufacturing Carter Beard and flagmaker Gerry Miller, assists with the carrying of a giant flag, makes a bungled effort to sew a star pattern, and provides instructions on how to handle a flag the patriotic way. Finally,
First stop is Steinway & Sons, the piano company operating out of Astoria, Queens, New York. Company president Frank Mazurco demonstrates why Steinway is the preferred piano of professional pianists, boy wonder pianist Josh Bouchette mops up the floor with John, and Director of Manufacturing and Engineering Andy Horbachevsky discusses why it's a challenge to continue this business in NYC. Later, Andy takes John into the factory room to see how a Steinway is handbuilt. Next stop is Middlebury, Vermont, home to Maple Landmark Woodcraft, a family-owned-and-operated handmade toy company best known for their NameTrains. Founder Mike Rainville, his wife, Jill, sons, Adam and Andrew, mother, Pat, sister, Barbara, grandmother, Harriet, and other employees all declare their pride for crafting educational toys for children of all ages. After a tour of the factory, Mike presents John with a laser-engraved train whistle containing the ""Made in America"" name. Finally, John gives a history lesson on
2004
First stop is the Yankee Candle factory, located in the small town of Deerfield, Western Massachusetts. John talks with Yankee's V.P. of Manufacturing, Art Rubeck, and joins the factory's employees on the assembly line. John also visits the nearby candlemaking museum, where he chats with museum associate Michelle Held and learns how bee's wax candles are mass produced, before dropping by one of Yankee's outlets to discuss candle scents with Fragrance Committee Chairman Bob Nelson. Next stop is Shelton, Connecticut, where Shelton's Better Packages are manufactured. Co-owner Phil White and Director of Sales and Marketing Ken Backman demonstrate how water-activated packing tape is stronger and safer than plastic tape. After John gives a history lesson on Wonder Bread, it's back to the Yankee Candle factory, as he partakes in employee Chris Curtain's farewell party after 18 years on the job. Last stop is John's hometown, Bridgeport, where he meets up with his buddy, Kay Williams, a boating
First stop is ""The Magic City,"" Charleroi, Pennsylvania, home to the Pyrex plant. Plant manager ""Jack"" Jackson gives John the scoop about the invention of the sturdy glassware before taking him on a tour. Then quality assurance associate Edna Maxson shows John how measuring cups are cooled on the last stop on the assembly line, the thermal downshock. Later, he meets with collector Mary Jane Martucci. Next stop is Auburn, Massachusetts, where Wolf Coach mass produces vehicles for the military, police and TV news. John talks with Vice President Richard Wolf... who can't talk about most of the vehicles. Captain John Welch, of the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department, shows John the inside of their command unit. And engineer Steve Spinney details how he helped design a vehicle that scans cargo for contraband. Finally, John gives a history lesson on Hostess Twinkies, and we hear from Lewis Browning, who is a self-proclaimed Twinkie gourmet.
First stop is the US Steel plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania. John talks with the company's local historian Lou Jack and steelworker Walt Oliver, and ""suits up"" to see the inside of a blast furnace. Next stop is Manlius, New York, home to Stickley, Audi & Co.'s handmade furniture factory. John meets with company historian Mike Danial, current owners Alfred and Aminy Audi, production supervisor Brenda Bennett, and case fitter Anthony Carolla. John is shown how a chest of drawers is built and assembled. Finally, John gives a history lesson on the microwave.
First stop is the Tillamook Cheese factory in Tillamook, Oregon. Director of Cheese Operations Wayne Bean acts as John's tour guide and informs him of the process of turning milk into cheese, cheesemaker Dale Baumgartner shows John how to stack curds, and Quality Assurance Sensory Supervisor Butch Seufert (who is known as ""The Big Cheese"") splits a stick of cheddar with John. Next stop is John's hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut, home to Derecktor Shipyards, who build ferries. After John gives us a glimpse of the outside of the house where he grew up, he meets with Derecktor's Chief Operating Officer Gavin Higgins, as well as John Moore, a plasma cutter operator, Brian McNicholas, an AutoCAD Specialist, and Dieter Schreir, the construction supervisor. The four show John how their boats are built. After John gives a history lesson on Knott's Berry Farm, it's back to Connecticut, where he takes a steamboat ride with Captain Bob, skipper for the Becky Thatcher.
First stop is the Weber Grill plant in Palatine, Illinois. President and CEO Jim Stephen -- whose father, George Stephen, invented the BBQ grill -- takes John on a tour of the company, which includes a bronzed statue of George holding a replica of his favorite tongs. Later, John and Jim head over to a backyard, where Edna Schlosser, Chief of Culinary Research and Development, breaks out some steaks, potatoes, peppers and string beans. John and Jim assemble a brand new Weber Genesis, fire up the barbie, grill the food, and share it with some assorted company employees. Next stop is Willoughby, Ohio, home to Gibson Bagpipes. John meets with company founder and native Scotsman Jerry Gibson. He also chats with machinists Sak Vathanohoto and Robert Exum and foreman Dennis Williams, and sees how a Gibson is made. Accepting Jerry's invitation, John suits up in traditional Scottish gear, breaks out his drum kit, and joins bagpipe pros Jamie Holden, Bruce Gregg, Kyle Corrigan and Ruthie Chapman
2005
2007
2008
John Ratzenberger
