Article Revised August 24th, 2022
After decades of moving manufacturing overseas, it appears the trend toward on-shoring that began in the early 2000s has been more than just a blip on the radar. In fact, for all intents and purposes, “Made in the USA” appears to be here to stay. Companies such as General Electric (who took quite a bit of abuse for being one of the first companies to move a lot of their manufacturing to China) have been “reshoring” many jobs back to the United States. Other large companies such as Whirlpool, DuPont, and Caterpillar have been at the front of the trend over the last few years as well.
American Manufacturing and Fabrication: Easier & Better
Why the change? While it varies by company, many manufacturers have learned a hard lesson regarding the negative side of offshoring labor over the last 30 years. For one, quality control becomes difficult when attempted from 7000+ miles away, but frustrations around production turnaround times and a lack of intellectual property protections can become headaches as well. Depending on just how complex the supply chain is, even more complications can arise that are uncontrollable, such as geopolitical issues and natural disasters.
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Raw Cost of American Manufacturing Has Decreased, Quality Has Increased
When companies keep their manufacturing supply chain on American soil, U.S. fabricators like EVS Metal are able to help them meet the needs of customers by quickly reacting to market trends at home, including a desire for new items, which often means producing additional quantities of products as well as parts for high-demand items, especially when that demand is unexpected.
Besides the day-to-day complexities of offshoring, another element that has impacted companies’ decision to bring “Made in America” back as a priority has been a rapidly-changing economy. In what was likely a total shock to many, the Manufacturing Institute’s 2011 study reported that the “raw cost” of manufacturing in the United States had not just decreased but had dropped below that of America’s largest trading partners. This resulted in a stunning 29% decrease in raw manufacturing costs since the same study was conducted just eight years ago. In other words, U.S. manufacturers are not simply a competitive option now — they are often the most competitive one, not just in terms of convenience but when considering the pure economics of the matter.
Ready to speak with an American metal fabricator that has been delivering high-quality, end-to-end supply chain solutions to its U.S. customers for more than 20 years? Contact the specialists at EVS Metal today by requesting a personalized quote online or by calling (973) 839-4432.
