CAMBRIDGE, MA – About 14% of US firms recently surveyed definitely plan to move some manufacturing home, says the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to published reports.
Thirty-three percent of firms surveyed said they are “considering” moving manufacturing back to the US.
Companies provided a number of reasons for these ‘reshoring’ efforts: speed in getting products to market and responding to orders; savings with regard to transportation and warehousing; improved quality and IP protection. About 21% also said “pressure to increase US jobs” is a factor.
Dr. David Simchi-Levi, who launched the survey, said lower US corporate taxes could be a factor in bringing manufacturing back. It is unclear whether the trend will result in a significant amount of growth in US jobs, he said.
108 US-based manufacturing companies with global operations participated in the survey.