One Voice | Government Advocacy for the Metalworking Industry

At a time when many manufacturers are re-evaluating their supply chains, some are moving production lines and sourcing back to the United States. Manufacturers that consider a total-cost-of-ownership approach may find new opportunities in the trend.

Mitchell Metal Products, a contract manufacturer based in Merrill, Wis., was recently awarded the National Reshoring Award by the Reshoring Initiative and the Precision Metalforming Association for its reshoring of a product line from Asia back to the United States.

Mitchell supplies parts and wreath rings to companies throughout North America and Europe, and is a preferred parts supplier to furniture, window and computer manufacturers. Mitchell CEO Tim Zimmerman said recently that the company was able to reshore a handle sub-assembly product back to the U.S. last year, offering both increased production and significant cost savings to the client.

Zimmerman said they took everything into consideration, offered an initial quote and provided total-cost-of-ownership calculations. Because it was a more complex sub-assembly, they also brought in two subcontractors and disclosed them to the client. In brokering the deal, Mitchell used the Total Cost of Ownership Estimator from the Reshoring Initiative.

Read more here.