At a time when the vast majority of consumer electronics and accessories are manufactured in foreign markets, one innovative product line, Scio Township-based Hand-e-holder Products Inc., is made exclusively in Ann Arbor, and the company owner has no intention of taking it anywhere else.
The Hand-e-holder straps to the back of tablet computers and electronic readers, allowing the user to hold and view the tablet comfortably while providing a 360 degree rotation. The full Hand-e-holder product line includes hand holders as well as hands-free leg holders and stands, all designed to enhance the iPad, tablet, and electronic reader experience.
Since the Hand-e-Holder line was first created, it was important to Hand-e-holder President Mike Burns that the production of the devices stayed in Michigan. In a recent interview with annarbor.com, he said popular opinion has not changed his mind about having the product made overseas.
“I’ve been called stupid for not building them offshore, but we’re going to keep making them here,” Burns said in the interview. “We made the choice to make them in Michigan because if you don’t make something here, there are no jobs for anybody.”
According to Burns, the idea for the Hand-e-holder came from a near accident. He had been using his brand new iPad for only a few minutes when he almost dropped it, and the concept for the Hand-e-holder was born.
The Hand-e-holder retails for $39.99. It is available online at www.HandeHolder.com and Amazon.com, and in local Wireless Zone stores. Burns is in the process of marketing the products to larger stores, including Target and Best Buy.
