Manufacturing & Reshoring Strategies in 2026 with Rosemary Coates of the Reshoring Institute

In this episode, Rosemary Coates of the Reshoring Institute discusses the current landscape of manufacturing, reshoring trends, supply chain risks, and the impact of automation and geopolitics on global production strategies.

 

Key Topics

Reshoring trends and statistics Impact of tariffs and international trade policies Role of automation and AI in manufacturing Supply chain risks and international dependencies

Chapters

01:02 Current Trends in Reshoring and Manufacturing 02:13 Tariffs, Risks, and Investment Delays 02:49 Why Companies Reshore: Risk Mitigation and Economics 04:28 The Myth of Patriotic Reshoring 05:07 Research and Resources from the Reshoring Institute 06:07 Manufacturing Shifts in Automotive and Mexico 08:17 Mexico's Competitive Edge: Cost and Proximity 10:17 Border Logistics and Technology in Cross-Border Trade 12:46 Mexico's Industrial Development and Infrastructure 14:05 Challenges and Opportunities in US Manufacturing 15:04 Automation, AI, and the Future of Manufacturing 18:34 Skilled Jobs and the Shift in Manufacturing Workforce 20:00 Power Infrastructure and Bottlenecks 21:32 Impact of AI and Data Centers on Manufacturing 22:59 Modern Skills for Manufacturing and Defense Industry 24:02 Defense Manufacturing and Global Supply Chains 25:43 Semiconductors, Rare Earths, and Critical Materials 27:22 Risks and Complexities of Leaving China 31:06 Risks and Challenges of Moving Out of China 32:29 Managing the Transition Out of China 34:46 Intellectual Property and Supply Chain Security 36:49 Cost and Planning for Reshoring Projects 37:44 Project Management and Site Selection

 

Episode Resources

Connect with Rosemary Coates

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarycoates/ https://reshoringinstitute.org

Connect with Justin Smith

https://smithcre.com/ https://www.lee-associates.com/ jbsmith@leeirvine.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbsmith/