Tariffs, Dinosaurs, and the Power of Buying Local: Why We’re Built for This Moment
- Lauren Billings
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
📈 1. From an Economics POV: We’ve Been Planning for This Since 2003
Tariffs are shaking the manufacturing world. New rounds of U.S. tariffs are disrupting supply chains, increasing costs, and exposing just how many companies rely on overseas production to stay afloat.
But us? We’ve seen this coming for decades.
At Billings Productions, we were talking about reshoring before it became a buzzword.
When we launched in 2003, we made a choice: invest in U.S. manufacturing — even if it cost more.
That meant:
Building our own facility
Paying real wages
Sourcing American supplies
Developing relationships with local vendors who answer the phone
It was never about chasing the lowest price. It was about control, quality, and long-term stability. While others were optimizing for margins, we were building to last.
🔥 2. Now That Coprolite Has Hit the Fan… We’re Just Fine
Today, many companies are scrambling. Overseas vendors are delaying shipments. Tariffs are inflating costs, and projects are grinding to a halt.
But we’re not scrambling — we’re already built different.
Here’s how we’ve weathered the chaos:
Steel that’s been sourced locally — the kind that’ll outlive us all
Repairable materials manufactured right here in the U.S.
All American workers (we're Texas-tough 🤠 )
We’re not guessing how to respond to supply chain problems. We’ve already solved them.
And when others are stuck with delays or surprise fees? We’re delivering on time, on budget, and without the fine print.
🌎 3. From the Environmental Angle: You Say You Want to Be Sustainable?
Then it’s time to get real. Because buying local is step one.
Every time a zoo or museum orders from a company that ships from overseas, you’re increasing the carbon impact of your exhibit.
Want to lower your emissions? Support American-made animatronics that don’t need to be freighted across oceans.
Our dinosaurs are:
Designed, built, and tested in Texas
Shipped domestically (lower freight miles = lower emissions)
Built with materials that last and can be repaired, not dumped
According to the EPA, sustainable materials management starts with where and how things are made. We’ve been aligned with that mission since the very beginning.
You care about conservation? So do we — and that starts behind the scenes, not just in signage.
🧠 Final Thought: Being Local Wasn’t a Trend — It Was a Strategy
We didn’t pivot when tariffs hit. We didn’t shift gears when the news cycle changed. We’ve been building American-made animatronics since 2003 because it was the right thing to do — for our clients, for our team, and for our planet.
And while others are just now figuring out how to “reshore,” we’ve already done the work. So if you’re looking for stability, sustainability, and storytelling that actually shows up?
You’ve found the team.
🔧🧠 Bonus for the Nerds (You Know Who You Are)
Want to dive deeper into why local manufacturing matters? We’ve been watching these:
🏗️ NAM Reshoring Insights – National Association of Manufacturers
Current reshoring and supply chain strategies from the U.S. manufacturing sector.
🏷️ FTC Made in USA Labeling Standard
Breakdown of what qualifies as “Made in the USA.”
🚢 Global Freight Carbon Emissions – International Transport Forum (via OECD)
Data-rich report on the environmental impact of international shipping.
🌱 Sustainable Materials Management – EPA
Foundational principles for reducing environmental impact in product lifecycles.
🔗 https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-materials-management-basics
🚀 Let’s Build Something That Lasts
If you're a zoo, museum, theme park, or event looking for American-made, environmentally responsible, zero-drama animatronics — we’re your people.
📍 Built in Texas. Delivered across the country.
🌎 Built for today. Ready for tomorrow.
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