Global manufacturing has always been dynamic, but today, we are facing what can only be described as a sea change. Technology-intensive processes being developed in the United States and abroad are helping to drive competitiveness by increasing research, development and manufacturing efficiency. Additionally, challenges to the economy (not the least of which is the COVID-19 pandemic) have wrought other developments that will impact not only the ongoing push for reshoring but the increasingly competitive drive to develop a vaccine. At the same time, companies are striving to keep customers satisfied and to continue to attract a skilled workforce. This issue covers all these topics and we invite you to read on.
An unprecedented course of events is transforming global supply chains. Tariff uncertainty from trade wars and resiliency concerns revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic are driving that transformation. The shift is undergirded by geopolitical turmoil, a realignment of priorities, rising offshore costs and environmental concerns. more....