Walmart Open Call Yields Plenty of Product Deals
As a result of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s U.S. Manufacturing Open Call, a day of deal-making and networking in the company’s hometown of Bentonville, Ark., that featured 750 product presentations, nearly 100 companies received deals on the spot, meaning that their goods will soon be available in Walmart stores and at Walmart.com.
Among those that scored deals at the June 28 event were O’Dang Hummus LLC (O’Dang Hummus, various flavors); Iya Foods (One Pot Simmer Sauce); Haven Sales & Marketing (Gourmet Orange Chili Soy Sauce, Carson’s Fully Cooked Ribs); T< Tamales, LLC (Tony’s Turkey Tamales); Stinkbug Naturals (Lavender Stick Deodorant); and Spot Stuff (Spot Remover).
Other Open Call participants will continue to hold discussions with buyers and further develop their products, with the aim of getting deals like the aforementioned companies.
“Walmart’s continued commitment to growing U.S. manufacturing should be applauded,” said Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.” Strong manufacturing supports a strong America through the creation of American jobs. Walmart’s Open Call gives innovators unparalleled access to the world’s largest retailer.”
“We are … committed to participating as a leader in the country when it comes to policy,” noted Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon. “We believe that we should be one of the voices at the table, and we want to help renew U.S. manufacturing and drive the creation of manufacturing jobs across the United States,” he said, adding that “soon we’re going to be releasing a number of policy recommendations that support U.S. manufacturing.”
The proposals under consideration include helping simplify product labels and encouraging such workforce development innovations as apprenticeships, in addition to tax and trade policies designed to spur domestic manufacturing.
“American entrepreneurship is on full display during Open Call,” asserted Cindi Marsiglio, VP, U.S. manufacturing at Walmart, referring to the recent event as “a fantastic show of innovation.” According to Marsiglio, investments in U.S. manufacturing are important not only to job growth, but also product innovation.
Part of the company’s 10-year, $250 billion commitment to American manufacturing, the fourth annual Open Call drew participants from 47 states and Puerto Rico.
Walmart operates 11,695 stores under 59 banners in 28 countries, and ecommerce websites in 11 countries.