Reshoring on the increase, but worker shortage could stifle growth

A new report from MFG.com, an online marketplace for the manufacturing industry, shows that while reshoring is increasing, U.S. manufacturers might not be able to carry the load.

"There’s a severe shortage of workers," said Mitch Free, manufacturing analyst and CEO of MFG.com. "Indicators are showing good signs; the market is active, reshoring is gaining speed, and there’s a high potential for growth. However, job shops are reporting that they cannot take advantage of this industrial growth because they're unable to find skilled machinists."

MFG.com surveyed more than 250 U.S. job shops for its newly released "Job Shop Health & Capacity Report."

"The results of this survey confirm that reshoring is real and job shops are benefiting. Forty percent of job shops reported getting a new contract that was previously sourced to a foreign supplier," Free explained. "Sourcing professionals have reported that they want to reshore more work but are having a tough time finding high-quality suppliers with capacity. This is especially true in the areas that were hit hard by offshoring.

"Trade schools should revive their training programs to address the shortage. Job shops need to reintroduce the apprentice program."