Globalization, a Two-Way Street: the “Re-Shoring” of American Manufacturing
The vicissitudes of today’s global economy seem to be drawing American businesses back home. As the markets teeter this way and that in alternating states of optimism and despair, US business-owners are seeking to reduce the length of their supply chains with the expectation that a reduced supply chain will allow them more direct control of the products and services they provide for their customers. Apple, Inc., for instance, is now showing signs of removing some of its hardware and software engineering officers in China and relocating them close by its headquarters in Cupertino, CA. Everything from steel milling, to automotive part fabrication, to printed circuit boards, and to common household items such as glassware and ceramics have been trickling back to these shores. While the past month has seen a slight decline – the first of its kind in over three years – in American manufacturing capacity, the overall trend continues to spike upwards.
The packaging industry – including our own partitioning industry – has a prime opportunity of seizing upon this trend of shorter supply chains. With quicker delivery times, no overseas shipping costs, and – pound for a pound – a superior overall product quality, American packaging and materials handling companies are standing by to help jump start the new resurgence in domestic manufacturing and delivery services. Being that we are one of the long-standing, stalwart companies in box partitions, egg crating, and being that our location in Chicago puts us at the hub of all North American commerce, the time seems ripe for M&M Box Partitions to make its services felt that much more to its clientele, as well as help America continue its slow, painful climb up and away from the “Great Recession”.
