Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and rising protectionist policies, US manufacturers are making bold moves to regain control of their supply chains. Reshoring is no longer just a strategic option – it’s a necessity that will serve as the foundation of a new industrial economy. According to Morgan Stanley, this shift could inject up to $10 trillion into the US economy across the next decade, ushering in a new era of industrial growth and national resilience.
Global supply chains, once seen as efficient and cost-effective, are now exposing companies to mounting risks, ranging from labour unrest and infrastructure failures to natural disasters and, most recently, trade and economic policy shifts. Reliance on complex global networks leaves businesses vulnerable, and industry experts caution that supply chain volatility and disruptions will likely persist in the coming years. So, what steps can manufacturers take today to future-proof their operations and build the resilience needed to weather the next wave of supply chain challenges?
One thing is clear: the advantage belongs to companies that embrace dynamic solutions and quickly adapt their operations in real time to transform how and where they operate.
The solution isn’t simply shifting to manufacturing in-market; it involves rethinking manufacturing itself. Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as industrial 3D printing, offers a powerful alternative. With its digital-first, on-demand capabilities, AM enables localised, agile production that reduces dependence on overseas suppliers and eliminates the inefficiencies of traditional processes. More manufacturers across industries are embracing AM to create virtual inventories, produce parts closer to end-users, and respond in real time to market shifts. AM reduces physical storage needs, slashes transportation costs, and compresses supply chains, all while enhancing operational flexibility.
Take General Atomics, a US-based developer of unmanned aircraft systems like the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-9B SkyGuardian. By replacing laminated composite parts with 3D printed alternatives – particularly in the Certifiable Ground Control Station – the company has saved over $2 million in recurring costs and $300K in tooling. These savings stem largely from bypassing traditional supply chain steps, including tooling fabrication, lay-up, curing, and trimming.
J.W. Speaker, a high-performance LED lighting supplier founded in 1935, adopted industrial 3D printing to streamline tooling. Using the F370CR system from Stratasys and Nylon-CF10 material, the company produced leak test fixtures for snowmobile headlights 80% faster – cutting tool production from days to hours. Switching from outsourced machined aluminium to 3D printing lowered costs and enabled rapid design iterations cutting significant time to market.
Beyond speed and cost efficiency, AM also advances another critical priority: sustainability. It allows manufacturers to produce only what’s needed, when it’s needed – reducing material waste, energy consumption, and emissions from global shipping. It aligns directly with circular economy principles, supporting product reuse, redesign, and recycling efforts.
What makes this shift even more attainable is the growing accessibility of advanced technologies. AI, digital twins, and real-time analytics are giving manufacturers unprecedented visibility into their supply chains, enabling faster decisions, better forecasting, and more proactive risk management. These technologies also offer employees opportunities to expand their skillsets, creating advanced jobs for the next generation of engineers and upskilling the current workforce. Together, these technologies create a foundation for more agile, resilient, and data-driven production.
This isn’t just about fixing reducing supply chains risk or responding to specific themes like tariffs – it’s about leapfrogging to a smarter model of manufacturing. One that’s local, digital, sustainable, and resilient by design, and invests in the present and future workforce.
We’re at a once-in-a-generation crossroads. Those who act now, embracing innovation and investing in technologies like AM, won’t just survive the next disruption cycle. They’ll lead the industrial resurgence already underway. The future isn’t waiting. It’s being printed in real time.
Who’s ready to lead?
By Rich Garrity, Chief Business Unit Officer, Stratasys
This article originally appeared in the Sept/Oct issue of Procurement Pro.
