Can reshoring deliver manufacturing sustainability benefits?

Core Insights - U.S. sustainability policy is evolving, yet manufacturers are leveraging domestic production to achieve climate, governance, and workforce improvements [1] Group 1: Investment Trends - The reshoring movement has led to significant investments, with Apple committing over $500 billion to U.S. operations in the next four years and Johnson & Johnson planning to invest $55 billion in domestic production by 2029 [2] - Manufacturers are reassessing reshoring's potential for resilience and sustainability gains due to new tariffs affecting production costs [3] Group 2: Supply Chain and Operational Strategy - Supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 highlighted vulnerabilities, prompting companies like Caterpillar to prioritize reshoring while balancing sustainability and production costs [4] - Ahuja from Caterpillar noted that 70% of their dependency was on a single region, leading to efforts to mitigate single-country risks through optimization programs [5] Group 3: Decision-Making Factors - According to the 2025 Reshoring Survey Report, long-term sustainability and short- to medium-term profitability are primary factors influencing reshoring decisions, while environmental, social, and governance factors are less prioritized [6] - Companies are considering the reduction of supply chain and geographic risks as key opportunities for reshoring, alongside improved visibility into worker safety and regulatory compliance [6] Group 4: Success Metrics - Success metrics for reshoring may include reductions in scope 3 emissions, waste, water usage, and energy management, as well as improvements in job safety, job creation, sourcing, and traceability [7]