AnchorStake: Planting a Stake in American Manufacturing
Part of the America250: Built Here. Built Better. series — celebrating the American makers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs, and the commercialization behind FLI Products innovation.
There's a product in the FLI Products lineup that does something most people don't think twice about. It goes into the ground. It holds things in place. It doesn't move, doesn't fail, and doesn't ask for attention.
That's exactly the point.
AnchorStake is a heavy-duty, ABS plastic landscape anchor — the kind of ground stake that professionals and serious homeowners reach for when they need something that actually works. But to understand what AnchorStake really represents, you have to understand what it means for FLI Products to put a stake in the ground for American manufacturing.
Because that's exactly what we did.
More Than a Ground Stake
When FLI Products partnered with Darter Plastics to bring AnchorStake to market, we weren't just commercializing a landscape product. We were making a deliberate choice — to source domestically, manufacture domestically, and build a supply chain that doesn't depend on container ships, overseas quality control, or 90-day lead times.
AnchorStake is a symbol of that choice. Every 10-pack that ships to a Walmart store, a Lowe's garden center, or directly to a homeowner's door represents a decision FLI Products made years ago: that American manufacturing is worth investing in, worth standing behind, and worth building a business around.
In 2026, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, that decision looks smarter than ever.
Built by Darter Plastics — Built to Last
AnchorStake is manufactured by Darter Plastics, one of FLI Products' most trusted American manufacturing partners. Darter brings precision plastic injection molding expertise to every product they produce — and AnchorStake is no exception.
The result is a ground stake engineered for real-world performance:
- Rust-free construction — no corrosion, no staining, no degradation over seasons of use
- Heavy-duty design — built to anchor landscape fabric, irrigation lines, garden edging, netting, tarps, tents and more
- Consistent dimensions — because American manufacturing means quality control you can count on, not the variability that comes with overseas production
- 10-pack value — retail-ready packaging designed for the way real customers shop
When Tom Whitaker evaluates a product, the first question he asks is simple: "Will it still be working right five years from now?" AnchorStake passes that test. Tom has seen enough cheap import stakes rust out, bend, and break after a single season to know the difference between a product built for the shelf and a product built for the job.
"A good stake is easy to pommel, goes in straight, holds firm, and comes out clean when you need it to. That's not complicated — but it's harder to get right than most people think." — Tom Whitaker, FLI Products Advisor
The Real Cost of the Cheap Alternative
Walk into any big-box store and you'll find import landscape stakes at a lower price point than AnchorStake. That's not a secret. But the math on cheap imports rarely adds up the way buyers expect.
Consider what retail buyers and procurement teams already know:
- Return rates on import hardware products run significantly higher than domestic equivalents — rust, breakage, and inconsistent sizing drive customer dissatisfaction
- Lead times of 90–140 days on overseas orders mean inventory gaps, missed seasonal windows, and lost sales
- Tariff exposure adds unpredictable cost to every import PO — a risk that domestic sourcing eliminates entirely
- Quality variability between production runs creates SKU inconsistency that frustrates buyers and category managers alike
AnchorStake ships from American inventory, replenishes in 7–30 days, carries no tariff exposure, and delivers consistent quality run after run. For retail buyers managing seasonal garden categories, that reliability is worth more than the per-unit price difference.
FLI Products and the Walmart Open Call
AnchorStake is part of FLI Products' broader commitment to the Walmart Open Call program — Walmart's annual event connecting American-made products with Walmart buyers for potential shelf placement. The Open Call program is one of the most powerful retail opportunities available to domestic suppliers, and it reflects Walmart's own commitment to sourcing products made, grown, or assembled in the United States.
Products like AnchorStake represent exactly what Walmart Open Call is designed to surface: practical, retail-ready, American-made products with proven consumer demand and domestic supply chain reliability.
Learn more about the Walmart Open Call program at corporate.walmart.com.
Follow the conversation: #WalmartOpenCall #MadeInUSA #America250 #AnchorStake
Heard on Made in America
FLI Products has been a recurring guest on Made in America with Rita Compton and Michael King — hosted by Rita Compton, known as America's Inventor Lady. The show celebrates American-made products, domestic manufacturers, and the entrepreneurs keeping the tradition of American craftsmanship alive. Kevin Cody of FLI Products has appeared on multiple episodes, sharing the story behind products like AnchorStake and the broader FLI Products mission.
Listen to the show: Made in America Podcast Feed
Where to Buy AnchorStake
AnchorStake is available at the retailers you already trust:
- Walmart (online only)
- Amazon
- Lowe's
- Tractor Supply
- Target
- Wayfair
- Zoro
- Best Buy
- And directly at fliproducts.com
Part of a Bigger Story
AnchorStake is one of 18 American-made products in the FLI Products portfolio. Each one has a manufacturer behind it, a community it supports, and a supply chain that stays right here in the United States. Explore the full America250 series:
Shop AnchorStake — Made in USA →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is AnchorStake made?
AnchorStake is made in the United States by Darter Plastics, a trusted American plastic injection molding manufacturer and FLI Products partner.
What is AnchorStake used for?
AnchorStake heavy-duty ground stakes are used to anchor landscape fabric, irrigation lines, garden edging, netting, tarps, row covers, tents and other outdoor materials. They are made of ABS plastic and built for multi-season durability.
Is AnchorStake available at Walmart?
Yes. AnchorStake is available online at Walmart.com, as well as at Amazon, Lowe's, Tractor Supply, Target, Wayfair, Zoro, and other major retailers.
Why choose American-made ground stakes over imports?
American-made stakes like AnchorStake offer consistent quality, no tariff exposure, faster replenishment (7–30 days vs. 90–140 days for imports), and lower return rates due to superior materials and quality control. Plus, an oversized pommel head, a cinch hook to wrap rope around, and a guy-wire hole for wire, makes the anchor stake a heavy duty, multi-use tool.
What is the Walmart Open Call program?
Walmart Open Call is Walmart's annual event connecting American-made products with Walmart buyers for potential retail shelf placement. Learn more at corporate.walmart.com.
Who is Tom Whitaker?
Tom Whitaker is a retired manufacturing professional, hobby farmer, and FLI Products advisor with 40 years of practical experience. He evaluates and recommends American-made products that deliver lasting value. Learn more at fliproducts.com/pages/learn-from-tom.
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