Marriott Pledge: Towels Made in the USA

 

Marriott Pledge: Towels Made in the USA

Marriott has announced a first for the United States hospitality industry: it has pledged to only buy towels and bathmats made in the U.S.

Marriott announced the new policy in a Thursday press release, detailing the products that will be purchased.  According to the release, the company will purchase the products for their bathrooms from factories, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.  Those companies make their towels and bathmats with 100% cotton grown in the United States.

The pledge will include nearly 3,000 of Marriott’s U.S. hotels.

The company claims the new policy will create jobs in the textile industry and help the environment.  According to the press release:

“As a global company based in the United States, we’re proud to be the first hospitality company to commit to providing our guests with ‘Made in USA’ bathroom towels in our U.S. hotels,” said Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson.

“We believe our guests will appreciate knowing that even simple items they use every day in our hotels represent progress for the U.S. economy,” said Executive Chairman J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. “We also hope this sends a message to other businesses that buying locally can make business sense.”

Overall, this commitment will mean the annual production of 2.6 million bath towels and 4.9 million hand towels – the equivalent of as much as 5.6 million pounds of textiles. If laid end-to-end, the textiles Marriott will purchase in one year would stretch more than 4,300 miles. The commitment to manufacture these textiles in the U.S., also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating more than 300 ocean going container shipments annually.

Marriott’s “Made in USA” commitment with Standard Textile expands the two companies’ long-standing relationship. Last year, Marriott recognized Standard Textile’s commitment to continuous collaboration, innovative new products and superior service by giving the company its 2015 Americas Recognition Award.

The press release included the following infographic from the company:

Will Marriott’s move encourage other U.S.-based brands to do the same?