Reshoring
Reshoring machined parts: a practical guide
How to decide whether moving a machined part from an overseas supplier to a US shop makes sense, and how to do it without disrupting supply.
Start with landed cost
Compare the cost of a part delivered to your dock, not the number on the quote. For an offshore part that includes freight, duties, brokerage, inland trucking and the cost of carrying several months of inventory. Add a realistic allowance for late shipments and rejected lots.
| Cost item | Offshore | US shop |
|---|---|---|
| Piece price | Often lower | Often higher |
| Freight and duties | Added per shipment | Domestic freight only |
| Inventory held | Weeks to months | Days to weeks |
| Travel for audits | International | Day trip |
| Engineering change | Slow | Fast |
Which parts move first
- Parts with frequent engineering changes
- Parts with quality problems at the current supplier
- Low volume, high mix parts where minimums hurt
- Parts subject to domestic content rules
- Heavy parts where freight is a large share of cost
How to move without a gap in supply
- Run a first article at the US shop while the current supplier keeps shipping.
- Approve the first article and build a small buffer.
- Move volume in stages, starting with the parts that gain the most.
- Keep the old supplier as backup until two or three US lots are delivered on time.
What a US shop needs from you
Current drawings and models, material specs, inspection requirements, annual volume and the lot sizes you actually order. If the part has a history of problems, share it. It helps the shop quote honestly.