Rhode Island Manufacturers and Brands
We are compiling an ever growing list of businesses who make products here in Rhode Island.
USA Made ↔ Rhode Island ↓
We are compiling an ever growing list of businesses who make products here in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island's manufacturing sector, employing over 50,000 workers across diverse industries like jewelry, textiles, and advanced materials, is supported by several dedicated organizations. These groups focus on advocacy, workforce development, technical assistance, and economic growth. Below is a brief summary of the primary ones:
Rhode Island Manufacturers Association (RIMA): A nonprofit representing 1,600+ manufacturers, advocating for pro-manufacturing policies at federal, state, and local levels; connects members to resources for growth, hosts events, and promotes job creation through initiatives like the Rhode Island Manufacturing Initiative.
Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC): Part of the University of Rhode Island, provides free consulting to small manufacturers on funding, expansion, profitability, and onshoring; supports federal programs like the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative.
Polaris MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership): Rhode Island's MEP affiliate, offering lean production, process improvements, tech innovation, supplier development, and workforce training; leads consortia like the Advanced Manufacturing Consortium for defense and the Advanced Materials Innovation Network for textiles and composites.
Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Rhode Island Chapter: A local affiliate empowering women in manufacturing through networking, leadership development, and advocacy to address gender gaps in the industry.
Rhode Island Manufacturing Institute (We Make RI): Nonprofit delivering low-cost training, skill certifications, job placement, and an accelerator program for product developers; partners with RIMA and others for customized curriculum and entrepreneurial support.
These organizations collaborate to drive a "manufacturing renaissance" in the state, fostering innovation and job growth amid national trends.
The American Chest Company is a Rhode Island-based manufacturer specializing in heirloom-quality, handcrafted wooden storage chests and accessories. Founded with a commitment to American-made products, the company emphasizes superior craftsmanship using solid North American hardwoods like cherry, oak, maple, and mahogany. It partners with Amish craftsmen to produce its items, focusing on timeless designs rather than mass production. The business is headquartered in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and operates as a small team led by owner David "Mac" McLoughlin.
HistoryMac McLoughlin, a Rhode Island native with a background in woodworking and manufacturing, launched the company around 2010 after gaining extensive experience in the industry. His career included roles at Eureka Manufacturing (overseeing large-scale jewelry chest production), International Packaging Corp., and New England Heirlooms (an import firm he acquired). In the late 1990s, he co-developed the popular Diamond Crown Humidors brand in partnership with cigar makers Arturo Fuente and Newman. Following the decline of Reed & Barton in 2010, McLoughlin acquired interests in a smaller competitor and rebranded it as the American Chest Company, shifting entirely to domestic production. The company outgrew its initial factory and expanded production through Amish partnerships to maintain quality while scaling. By 2021, it had established a strong reputation for bespoke, high-end items.
ProductsThe company offers a curated line of custom wooden chests and related items, all handcrafted in the USA:
Jewelry Chests and Boxes: Dresser-top designs with lift-out trays for organization.
Watch Chests and Winders: Secure storage for timepieces.
Flatware Chests: Elegant cases for silverware sets, including custom presidential versions.
Cigar Humidors: High-quality options, continuing the Diamond Crown line.
Other Specialties: Gun chests, armoires, and herbal/cannabis humidors ("CannBisDors").
Products are sold online via americanchest.com, at fine jewelry stores across New England, and through select retailers. They position themselves as premium alternatives to imported goods, ideal for gifts or heirlooms.
Notable AchievementsSupplies the White House with custom flatware chests for presidential services.
Crafts the presentation chests for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Potential contracts for U.S. embassies' flatware storage.
Featured in the 2021 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide for its local, quality-focused approach.
As of 2024, the company remains family-run with a small staff, generating around $1 million in annual revenue. It relies on financing like revolving credit lines for inventory during peak seasons. The business maintains an A+ BBB rating (though not accredited) and has a modest online presence, including a Facebook page with about 140 likes. It continues to prioritize "superb" craftsmanship over quantity in a market dominated by imports.
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Duparquet Copper Cookware is a Rhode Island-based artisan brand specializing in handmade, high-quality copper pots, pans, and roasting vessels. Founded by coppersmith Jim Hamann, it emphasizes heirloom-grade pieces designed for professional and home cooks, drawing inspiration from traditional French copper craftsmanship. The brand focuses on solid copper construction (typically 1.5–3.5mm thick) with tin or silver linings for even heat distribution and reactivity.
HistoryThe name "Duparquet" revives a historic trademark from an early 20th-century American copper cookware company, but the modern iteration is a recent venture. Jim Hamann began as a hobbyist restoring vintage copper pieces, evolving his passion into a full manufacturing operation in Greenwich, Rhode Island. Today, it's a small-scale producer of new items, with limited-edition runs like roasting pans crafted to vintage standards. Antique Duparquet pieces occasionally appear on resale markets like eBay and Etsy, valued for their durability and patina.
Products and FeaturesCore Offerings: Tin-lined sauté pans, frying pans (e.g., 6" or 11" sizes), saucepans, and roasting pans (11.25"–12.5" diameters). Handles are typically brass for balance and heat resistance.
Why Copper?: Superior thermal conductivity for precise temperature control, aesthetic appeal, and longevity—pieces are built for lifetime use with occasional retinning.
Availability: Sold directly via duparquet.com with custom options. Limited stock emphasizes handmade quality over mass production.
Comparisons: Often praised over Italian brands like Ruffoni for its utilitarian design, thicker gauge, and French-inspired simplicity, though it's newer without centuries-old heritage.
Enthusiasts on forums like Reddit's r/Coppercookware highlight its performance for searing and sautéing, calling it "the weapon of a French chef." It's lauded for even heating and elegant aesthetics but noted as a modern craft operation rather than a direct lineage to historical makers. Restoration services are also available, appealing to collectors.
Lotuff Leather is a luxury leather goods brand specializing in handmade bags and accessories, emphasizing timeless, minimalist designs crafted with premium vegetable-tanned leather. Founded by Joe Lotuff and inspired by traditional bespoke menswear, the brand focuses on exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and American manufacturing. All products are produced in their Providence, Rhode Island studio—known as America's "Creative Capital"—and come with a lifetime guarantee, ensuring they age beautifully over time.
ProductsThe collection features a range of high-quality, versatile items suitable for everyday use or travel, including:
Bags: Weekender duffles, tote bags, briefcases, backpacks, and handbags.
Accessories: Wallets and other small leather goods.
Styles are super minimal and sturdy, often using full-grain leather combined with materials like canvas for added resilience. Customers praise the construction, with one reviewer noting a backpack "built like a tank."
Joe Lotuff sought to replicate the quality of custom tailoring in leather goods, sourcing the finest global materials and assembling pieces with meticulous hand-stitching and finishing. No corners are cut in the process, and the brand invites visitors to tour the open studio. Lotuff has ties to the broader U.S. leather scene, including a notable split from designer Frank Clegg, leading to similar aesthetics in competing brands like Lindquist Object.
ReputationLotuff is celebrated for its ethical, small-batch production and has been featured in Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses program. It enjoys a strong online presence with positive reviews on platforms like Reddit and The RealReal, where pre-owned items resell at a premium. The brand's commitment to "a well-crafted life" resonates, with shoppers saving via occasional coupons while appreciating the investment-worthy pieces.
Rhody Rug Company, founded in 1987 in Lincoln, Rhode Island, is a family-owned and operated manufacturer specializing in handcrafted braided area rugs and home accents.
Led by President Ronnie Agrela—a first-generation Portuguese immigrant with over 50 years in the rug-making business—and his team, including CFO Manny Martins, the company employs just 20 skilled artisans who handle everything in-house.
Their rugs are made using high-quality, American-sourced materials like 100% wool or proprietary two-ply textured polypropylene yarns, filled with a unique synthetic fiber tube (knitted like a giant shoelace) for superior durability and resistance to flattening or disintegration. This sets them apart from traditional braided rugs that often use recycled fillers.
They offer 19 lines with six colors each, including indoor/outdoor options that are stain-resistant, reversible, hypoallergenic, and suitable for high-traffic areas. Products are sold through their website (rhodyrug.com), retailers like Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Plow & Hearth.
The company emphasizes American craftsmanship, earning accolades like "Best Local Manufacturer" from The Valley Breeze in recent years.
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W.L. Fuller Company is a family-owned and operated American manufacturer specializing in high-quality precision tools for woodworking, plastics, and metals. Established in 1945 and based in Warwick, Rhode Island, the company emphasizes 100% U.S.-made products, expert craftsmanship, and customer service. It serves professionals and enthusiasts across the United States, with a focus on innovation and reliability.
HistoryThe company traces its roots to the 1930s when Warren L. Fuller Sr. began building plywood boats in his Warwick, RI, car dealership. In 1945, it formally incorporated as a tool manufacturing business. After Warren Sr.'s passing in 1961, his son Warren Jr. led rapid expansion, including a key redesign of countersinks in the late 1950s to improve chip clearance. By the 1970s, the business outgrew its original location and relocated to its current facility in 1979, with involvement from Warren Jr.'s seven children. Today, it is managed by third- and fourth-generation family members, including Diane, Gary, Debbie, and Lisa Fuller, alongside about 60 employees. Sales have grown 300-fold through word-of-mouth, despite minimal advertising. The company mourned the loss of Warren L. Fuller (likely a later generation) in 2005 due to complications from Hurricane Katrina.
Products and ServicesW.L. Fuller produces a wide range of drilling and cutting tools, including:
Countersinks and counterbores (various types like C, E, J, K, B, M, R, X)
Plug cutters and tenon cutters
Taper-point drills, brad-point drills, and step drills
Drill stops, stop collars, lock systems, and tool sets
Hole saws, drill gauges, and extension shanks
Tools are available in high-speed steel, carbide, and stainless steel options for hardwoods like Ipe. The company also distributes products from partners such as Bosch, Irwin, and Keo Cutters. Services include custom tooling, refurbishing, sharpening, fabrication, modification, packaging, shipping, online ordering, and expedited delivery via their "HOTSHOP" platform.
Current OperationsHeadquartered at 7 Cypress St., Warwick, RI 02888, the company operates from a dedicated facility and maintains a strong online presence for direct sales. It prides itself on quick turnaround, superior quality, and value-added solutions like reconditioning through "RECON360." With over 70 years of experience, W.L. Fuller remains committed to American manufacturing and customer satisfaction.
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