Manufacturers across the United States have been reconsidering their supply-chain strategies for an extended period. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend significantly. Prior to the pandemic, industry reports indicated growing interest in relocating operations domestically due to rising labor costs abroad and increased tariff pressures. Recent years brought additional disruptions — factory closures, port interruptions, and maritime incidents — prompting companies to reconsider offshore manufacturing arrangements.
Late-stage decoration moves in-house
Many organizations are now bringing secondary operations in-house, particularly late-stage product decoration and marking. This shift offers substantial advantages: companies can maintain reduced inventory levels, enhance manufacturing adaptability, and postpone decoration until after customer orders arrive. Digital marking processes require minimal setup since there are no screens, clichés, or inks to change over, resulting in decreased downtime and economical short-run production.
The capex case
The financial case for equipment investment proves compelling. One customer purchased a sophisticated pad-printing system for approximately three-quarters of a million dollars and reported cost recovery within twelve days. This customer subsequently transitioned to digital inkjet technology and plans additional machine purchases. EPS emphasizes that equipment investments typically demonstrate rapid payback periods while enabling broader product offerings and faster market entry.