Lodge Manufacturing Spotlighted for Contributions to American Manufacturing

This week, iconic cast iron cookware manufacturer Lodge Manufacturing represents Tennessee’s rich production history on AOL’s editorial series This Built America.

“Cast iron cookware will be around for another 100 years,” explains Henry Lodge, Chief Operating Officer and great-great grandson of company founder Joseph Lodge. “I think there is something about it being real, and based in the earth.” To ensure the company continues on as America’s last standing cast iron manufacturer, Lodge trusts each of its 270 employees to make key quality assurance decisions regarding product standards—whether they are the newest member on the team or Jerry Don King and his family, who have a combined 250 years of service at Lodge.

Lodge also holds itself accountable for the environment. Lodge accepted the federal government’s industry-wide call to reduce energy by 10 percent over five years—and met the goal four years ahead of plan. “All of those environmental concerns are very important to us,” explains Henry Lodge. “Because our fellow employees and neighbors live [in South Pittsburg], you can see houses from here.”

To learn more about Lodge’s production process and quality assurance, visit http:///www.thisbuiltamerica.com/tennessee. Or, follow This Built America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.