The SupplyChainBrain Podcast What Will It Really Take to Reshore Manufacturing Back to the U.S.?
9 snips
Nov 21, 2025 Matt Dollard, Senior Industrials Analyst at RSM, dives into the complexities of reshoring manufacturing to the U.S. He discusses how high tariffs alone won't solve the issue and emphasizes the need for stable trade policies. Matt highlights significant challenges such as skilled labor shortages and the necessity for upgraded infrastructure. He also warns about competition for energy resources from data centers. Ultimately, he stresses that both incentives and coherent policy frameworks are essential for successful reshoring efforts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Tariffs Are Not Sufficient To Reshore
- Tariffs alone won't reshore manufacturing; incentives like the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act matter too.
- Foreign direct investment rose with supportive industrial policy, but overall reshoring progress is slowing.
Skilled Labor Shortage Is Structural
- The U.S. faces a shortage of skilled industrial labor driven by long-term demographics and training gaps.
- Closing the skills gap requires more apprenticeships and education focused on automation, robotics, and data analytics.
Client Case: Two Plants, Two Skill Sets
- One client runs two plants making the same product: one highly automated with 26 industrial engineers and one with almost none.
- The contrast shows how automation changes required workforce skills and poses recruiting challenges in the U.S.