By Garland Pollard
WEST PARIS, MAINE - There is something very American about toothpicks, and a great, American-made brand is Penley. Rather a shame that many brands sold today are made in China. After all, how difficult is it to make a toothpick, and can’t the production be automated enough? I find it shameful that Jarden, which owns Diamond brand toothpicks, makes theirs in China. I will not be buying Diamond toothpicks again.
The Penley company was founded in 1923 when Fred, Lester and Walter Penley began making clothespins from the nearby hardwoods, including those classic round ones. The company grew, but by the 1950s, its market in clothespins was hurt by the sale of dryers. It expanded into specialty products, cutlery and matches. West Paris is a town North of Portland where many wooden items (including sleds) were made along the Little Androscoggin River.
But in 2003, it had to shut down its mill operation, and now operates as a seller of a wide variety of kitchen extras, including straws and now plastic clip clothespins. There are apparently no American clothespins left.
But the toothpicks, at least the ones seen in the stores this year, are still made in U.S.A.
11 responses so far ↓
1 D Stevens // Jun 1, 2011 at 4:02 pm
I just bought (6/1/11) Penley toothpicks at Walgreens. The box is clearly marked, “Made in China.” I only bought them because I cannot find any local stores which sell toothpicks made in the USA – or anywhere other than China. I also tried e-mailing the address on the box (custserv@penleycorp.net) and received an instant reply, “Your message has reached a mailbox that is no longer in service.” I suspect the entire front office has died from toxic toothpicks used for the hors d’oeuvres at the first quarter sales figures celebration – profits up after outsourcing manufacturing overseas.
2 mike hogan // Jun 7, 2011 at 10:29 am
im another american who has dropped penley after 50 yrs.go sell em to the iraqi’s
3 Barbara // Jun 23, 2011 at 11:25 am
COULD YOUR COMPANY MAKE YOUR TOOTH PICKS NOT SO ROUGH. THEY NEED TO BE SMOOTHER. I HAVE USE TOOTH PICKS FOR 50 YRS. THANK YOU bAR.
4 BarbaraC // Sep 5, 2011 at 8:18 am
you make toothpicks with square tip that can’t find between teeth. Whole box of 750 useless.
Very poor design. Would not buy that brand again.
5 Susan Hamilton // Sep 6, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Are Penley toothpicks made in the U.S.A.? If they are why does it say made in China on the box. I want made in the U.S.A. toothpicks not Chinese toothpicks that may have dangerous chemicals in them. Come on, put fellow Americans to work!
6 Susan Hamilton // Sep 6, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Did you get my last comment about the toothpicks being made in the U.S.A. and not China? Let me know. I want U.S.A. made toothpicks not Chinese made toothpicks. I want my fellow Americans to be working and making your products.
7 Barbara S. // Nov 27, 2011 at 12:50 pm
I want good flat toothpicks. I have use them for 60 yrs.
I hurt my mouth on them. Tell China to smooth them out. Angry Barb.
8 c moscatel // Dec 7, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I can’t find Penley round flat toothpicks anywhere.
Where did they go?
9 Helen T. // Dec 29, 2011 at 5:17 pm
I am also looking for toothpicks made in USA
10 Cindy F. // Jan 16, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Looking for Square Round Toothpicks. Just used my last Penley pick.
11 Dorothy Papazian // Jan 25, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Do you think we’re all idiots?
Your toothpicks are made in China and they’re disgusting. They all went into the trash.
I’d rather pay a little more and get quality than to waste money on garbage I throw out.
What is wrong with you people?
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