Ep 15. Longaberger Basket Co.
- June 8, 2004
John Ratzenberger's Made in America is a TV series that originally aired in 2004 on the Travel Channel. The show is hosted by John Ratzenberger, who is best known for his role as Cliff Clavin on the sitcom Cheers.
In season 1, episode 15, Ratzenberger visits the Longaberger Basket Co. in Newark, Ohio. This company is unique in that it creates handmade baskets out of maple wood, and Ratzenberger is excited to learn more about the process.
Ratzenberger begins his visit by exploring the Longaberger Basket Co.'s corporate headquarters, which is shaped like a giant picnic basket. He then meets with the company's CEO, Tami Longaberger, who explains the history of the company. Longaberger was founded in 1973 by Dave Longaberger, Tami's father, and has since become a beloved American brand.
Ratzenberger then heads to the Longaberger Basket Co.'s factory to see how the baskets are made. He meets the workers and observes the process of weaving the baskets, which is done entirely by hand. The wood used for each basket is carefully chosen to ensure that it is both strong and beautiful.
While observing the basket-making process, Ratzenberger also learns about the importance of quality control. Each basket is inspected multiple times before it is sold to ensure that it meets the company's high standards.
In addition to visiting the factory, Ratzenberger also takes a tour of the Longaberger Homestead, which is a popular tourist destination. The Homestead features a restaurant, a hotel, and a gift shop where visitors can purchase Longaberger baskets and other handmade items.
Throughout the episode, Ratzenberger emphasizes the importance of American-made products. He notes that Longaberger baskets are not only beautiful and functional, but also support American jobs and American craftsmanship.
Overall, season 1, episode 15 of John Ratzenberger's Made in America is a fascinating look into the Longaberger Basket Co. and the art of basket-making. Ratzenberger's enthusiasm for American-made products is contagious, and viewers will come away with a newfound appreciation for the skill and dedication that goes into creating each Longaberger basket.
