Master Control Systems recently earned Make It American™ certification for its Lake Bluff, Illinois, facility, joining a growing list of manufacturers to obtain the process certification and demonstrate its commitment to domestic manufacturing.
The Make It American certification enables companies to demonstrate that their processes and supply chain management systems have undergone rigorous, third-party expert audits – providing greater certainty and confidence to manufacturers, government agencies, and procurement officials seeking to source materials with enhanced levels of U.S.-manufactured content.
For Master Controls, the decision to certify wasn’t just about checking a box. It was about gaining confidence in a space where the rules are evolving, and the stakes are growing.
“We didn’t have to go hire a specialized, highly paid consultant,” said CEO Bill Stelter. “We could just have a third-party, independent auditor go straight to our site, evaluate our documentation, and tell us exactly where we stood. That made the program attractive and gave us great confidence that we were doing everything right.”
Certifying at the Right Time
The certification couldn’t have come at a better moment. The company was approaching its 60th anniversary, a milestone it had already themed around innovation and recognizing six decades of progress while signaling a clear commitment to the future.
That timing also aligned with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference in Las Vegas, where Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance was top-of-mind for many attendees. Master Controls debuted its Make It American certification at the event, featuring the designation prominently in its booth.
Building on that momentum, the company also produced a short video highlighting its certification and explaining why Make It American matters—not just for manufacturers, but for their customers seeking supply chain confidence.
Advice for Other Manufacturers
For companies still weighing whether certification is worth it, Stelter’s advice is clear: “Don’t wait.”
He emphasized that the process helped his team strengthen internal documentation, sharpen procedures, and prepare for what’s becoming a foundational expectation in the marketplace. “The demand is real,” he said. “Everyone is looking for this.”
Leading by Example
With Make It American certification, Master Controls is showing what leadership looks like in practice by investing in a program that includes precedent-setting standards, certifications, and resources to help electrical manufacturers navigate domestic content requirements.
By taking a proactive approach to BABA compliance, the company is positioned as a ready public sector partner and model for navigating federal policy requirements with confidence.
Meeting domestic content requirements doesn’t have to be difficult or disruptive. With the right framework and a proactive approach, compliance can become a competitive advantage and a platform for industry leadership. Learn more about NEMA’s Make It American certification here.