Walmart suppliers grapple with challenge of Made in US label

Bentonville, Arkansas

DETROIT Quality Brushes is a company that does just what its name suggests: It makes high quality brushes in Detroit.

Years ago, the company had 18 competitors in the United States. Today, there are only three left, says John Avgoustis, head of marketing and sales. "Walmart and others were a fundamental force in getting many companies to go the way of the dodo," he says.

Mr Avgoustis was among some 2,000 executives from US manufacturing companies who journeyed to Wal-Mart Stores Inc headquarters here on July 7 to huddle in tiny conference rooms with Walmart buyers and present products made in the US.

Walmart's 2015 US Manufacturing Summit was advertised as a chanc…