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/