Finding American Suppliers Beyond Thomasnet

If you are an Amazon FBA or cross-border seller, sourcing in the United States can feel like a tradeoff. You want US-based, Made in USA, or North American supply for faster replenishment, stronger brand positioning, and fewer overseas surprises. But once you leave the usual directories, the path gets messy: scattered factory sites, outdated catalogs, and suppliers that do not reply. Then comes the second problem: even if you find a legit American manufacturer, US pricing, domestic freight, and Amazon fees can crush margin if you do not run the numbers before you place an order.

This guide combines two practical workflows into one playbook. Part 1 shows how to find US suppliers for Amazon FBA and American manufacturers beyond Thomasnet, using Google operators and alternative sourcing platforms. Part 2 shows how to calculate profitability before you commit, so you can validate whether Made-in-USA private-label suppliers still meet your target net margin and cash requirements.

By the end, you should be able to shortlist 3 to 5 US factories, contact them with a clear script, and run a fast profit model (with scenario testing) before you place your first production order.

Key takeaways

• Go beyond directories: many small and mid-sized manufacturers are invisible on big catalogs.
• Use Google operators that match manufacturer page signals (contact pages, lead time, MOQ, factory).
• Shortlist quickly with a manufacturer credibility checklist, then call before you email.
• Before you place any order, model unit economics and cash tied in MOQ, freight, Amazon fees, PPC, and returns.
• Run sensitivity tests (price, ad spend, supplier price) to see what actually moves net margin.

Table of contents

1. Part 1: Finding American Suppliers Beyond Thomasnet
2. Why look beyond Thomasnet for US suppliers
3. Step 1: Use Google like a sourcing pro
4. Step 2: Platforms beyond Thomasnet
5. Step 3: Evaluate and contact US manufacturers
6. Bridge: From shortlist to profit math
7. Part 2: Calculating Profitability Before Placing an Order
8. Why is profit calculation critical with US suppliers
9. Key cost components you must include
10. How to use a profitability calculator step by step
11. Example: Testing a US-made product's profitability
12. FAQ
13. About the author
14. References

Part 1: Finding American Suppliers Beyond Thomasnet

Why look beyond Thomasnet for US suppliers

Thomasnet is a strong starting point, especially for industrial categories and established manufacturers. But it is not a complete map of the US manufacturing landscape. Many small and mid-sized shops do not maintain directory profiles, do not pay for featured listings, or show up under different niche terms than you would expect.

If your goal is to find US suppliers for Amazon FBA or to build a Made in USA supplier base for private label, you usually need a broader approach: Google operators for discovery, plus specialized platforms for verification and alternative sourcing.

Mini case: small-batch silicone kitchenware in the United States

Step 1: Use Google like a sourcing pro

The fastest way to find American manufacturers beyond Thomasnet is to search for the footprints manufacturers leave on their websites: factory language, lead times, minimum order quantities, equipment, certifications, and contact pages. Many real US factory sites are not SEO-polished, so you win by searching for the right signals, not the prettiest results.

Search operators and examples

[product] "manufacturer" "USA"
[product] "made in USA" "contact us"
[product] "our factory" "minimum order" 
[product] "lead time" "USA"
[product] "custom" "OEM" "United States"
[product] site:.us "manufacturer" "quote request"
[product] intitle:"capabilities" "USA"

Step 2: Platforms beyond Thomasnet

Google finds the hidden factory sites. Platforms help you expand your pipeline, verify activity, and discover manufacturers that don't rank in search. Use these as complementary sources, not replacements.

Thomasnet

Strong for industrial and established suppliers, but can miss smaller shops, niche makers, and companies that do not invest in directory placement.

Best for: industrial parts, mature manufacturing categories, and broad supplier discovery.

WholesaleCentral.com

A US wholesale directory that can be useful when you want existing stock, wholesale terms, or a fast replenishment option while you build a custom manufacturing relationship.

Best for: wholesale and restock workflows, not deep customization.

ImportYeti

Use shipment records to identify who is manufacturing or shipping similar products. It is often used to uncover supplier names tied to real trade activity.

Best for: finding manufacturers and suppliers connected to real shipping data.

Makers Row

A platform focused on US manufacturing, often helpful for consumer goods and smaller production runs, depending on the category.

Best for: small-batch and brand-focused US manufacturing.

MFG.com

A marketplace for custom manufacturing RFQs. Useful when you want to submit specs and receive quotes from qualified suppliers.

Best for: custom parts, RFQ-based sourcing, and comparing quote structures.

Platform comparison table

Step 3: Evaluate and contact US manufacturers

Signs of real manufacturers

• Facility proof: factory photos, equipment list, process pages, or a capabilities section.
• Operational details: MOQ, lead time, materials, tolerances, or production steps.
• Compliance and certifications: category-relevant certifications (examples: ISO, UL, NSF) when applicable.
• Clear address signals: a US address, phone number, and business identity that match public listings.
• B2B intent: quote request forms, wholesale pages, or custom manufacturing language.

Call vs email

US suppliers often move faster on the phone. A short call can confirm feasibility, MOQ, lead time, and whether they are open to working with Amazon brands. Use email for documentation and follow-up, but consider calling first to earn attention.

Bridge: From shortlist to profit math

Once Part 1 gives you a shortlist, you must proceed to Part 2 before committing. US-based manufacturing can improve speed and brand trust, but the landed cost structure often changes: higher unit costs, different domestic freight, and less room to absorb Amazon fees and PPC costs. The right decision is the one that still hits your target net margin and does not trap your cash in MOQ.

Part 2: Calculating Profitability Before Placing an Order

This section is the second step after sourcing. Before you place a production order with a US supplier, estimate net margin and cash pressure using a profitability calculator or a simple model. Do this early, then update it as quotes and shipping details become real.

The core logic is simple: unit profit equals the selling price minus product cost, minus logistics, minus Amazon fees, minus marketing, and minus returns. Your goal is to protect both gross margin (product economics) and net margin (what is left after ads, returns, and overhead assumptions).

Why is profit calculation critical with US suppliers

• Higher unit cost sensitivity: small supplier price changes can swing the margin quickly.
• Domestic freight surprises: LTL, UPS, and accessorial fees can add up, especially for bulky items.
• Amazon fees are non-negotiable: referral fees, FBA fees, and storage can dominate smaller products.
• Cash tied in MOQ: a "profitable" product can still be a bad decision if it locks too much cash per reorder cycle.

Key cost components you must include

Product and packaging cost

• Unit cost (materials, labor, finishing).
• Packaging and inserts (box, labels, barcode, compliance labeling).
• One-time costs (molds, tooling, setup) and whether you amortize them into unit economics for the first order.

Shipping, duties, and domestic logistics

• Inbound shipping to Amazon or your 3PL (LTL, UPS, pallets, appointment fees).
• If components are imported, include duties and brokerage where relevant.
• Do not ignore carton dimensions and weight because they impact both freight and FBA fees.

Amazon fees and FBA costs

• Referral fee (category-based percent of sale price).
• Fulfillment fee (size tier and shipping weight driven).
• Storage and long-term storage risk (seasonality makes this more critical).

Marketing, returns, and overhead

• PPC budget (start conservative, then test scenarios).
• Returns and refunds (category-dependent, include a reserve rate).
• Overhead assumptions (prep, labeling labor, software, 3PL handling) if they are meaningful in your workflow.

How to use a profitability calculator step by step

Use a calculator when you want repeatable decision-making and scenario testing. SellerSprite offers a Profitability Calculator that helps you plug in key costs and compare outcomes faster than manual spreadsheets.

1. Enter your selling price and marketplace (US site if you are selling in the United States).
2. Input product and packaging costs from your US supplier quote or your best conservative estimate.
3. Add inbound logistics (shipping to FBA or 3PL, prep, labeling, palletization if needed).
4. Confirm Amazon fees (referral, fulfillment, storage). If you have a comparable ASIN, use it as a reference to double-check fee ranges.
5. Add marketing and returns assumptions (PPC percent, return rate reserve).
6. Run sensitivity tests for price, ad spend, and supplier cost. You'd like to know what breaks the margin first.

Example: Testing a US-made product's profitability

Here is a simplified, decision-oriented example. Numbers are illustrative. Replace them with your quote and your real fee tier.

Unit profit estimate: $34.99 minus ($9.40 + $1.10 + $5.25 + $5.10 + $6.30) equals $7.84. That is roughly 22.4% net margin before taxes and business-wide overhead.

Scenario margin sensitivity (what moves the needle)

MOQ cash check (do not skip)

If MOQ is 800 units, cash tied in inventory (product + packaging only) is about 800 x $9.40 = $7,520, before freight, prep, and any deposit schedule. Even with a healthy net margin, cash flow can be the real constraint. Always model both margin and cash cycle.

FAQ

Are US suppliers always less profitable than Chinese suppliers?

Not always. US-based manufacturing can win when speed reduces stockouts, when brand positioning supports higher price, or when the product is bulky and domestic logistics simplify the supply chain. Profit depends on total landed cost, Amazon fees, and PPC efficiency, not country alone.

What MOQ is typical for US manufacturers?

It varies by process and category. Some US shops accept small-batch runs, while others require higher MOQ for efficiency. Ask early, and negotiate with a clear scale plan (test, first order, scale) rather than guessing.

How much net margin should I aim for on a US-made product?

Many sellers aim for a healthy buffer so they can survive PPC swings, returns, and fee changes. Use your category reality, but do not accept thin margins that leave you no room to operate or scale.

What is the fastest way to verify a "real factory" in the United States?

Look for capability signals on-site (equipment, processes, certifications), confirm an address and phone, and call to validate what they actually make in-house. If they avoid specifics, treat it as a warning sign.

About the author

SellerSprite Team. SellerSprite builds tools and step-by-step playbooks for Amazon sellers, covering product validation, keyword demand, competitor analysis, and profitability modeling. Our goal is to help sellers move from sourcing decisions to execution with fewer expensive mistakes.

References

• Thomasnet
• Wholesale Central
• ImportYeti
• Makers Row
• MFG.com
• Amazon FBA Revenue Calculator

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