ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer shined a spotlight on several companies including Hurd Windows and Doors for a “Made in America” feature which aired September 20, 2012. The manufacturer, with headquarters in Medford, Wis., was included in the story that highlighted U.S.-based businesses that are making a domestic and global economic impact.

Hurd, which has built custom wood doors and windows for more than 90 years, was recognized in the national news story for competing on a global basis out of its Midwestern manufacturing facilities in Medford and Merrill. As part of the segment, the company’s vice president of product and service, Stu Brown, cited examples of windows that were being exported to China and Canada. He also pointed out that the company has exported products to more than 30 countries around the world, including Japan, Turkey, Israel, Philippines, Argentina, Ireland, Poland, India and Thailand.

A large group of Hurd’s Medford-based employees were also featured in the piece, showcasing some of the products they had a hand in building.

“Our workforce has grown 10 percent in the last year,” says Hurd president Dominic Truniger. “In fact, in the past 18 months, we’ve grown our workforce by 25 percent.”

ABC reported that for the first time since the 1930s, U.S. manufacturers have the export advantage in the global marketplace. This is attributed to the fact that U.S. workers are considered the most productive workers in the world, making the U.S. as much as 45 percent less expensive than its foreign competitors. The story went on to say that new technologies are unlocking energy reserves, which is lowering U.S. energy costs. It also noted that shipping from U.S ports is cheaper than from its international counterparts.