For decades, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been outsourcing manufacturing processes to lower-cost countries. However, recent supply chain instability is hoping OEMs shift their sights back to domestic fabrication partners in a process referred to as reshoring.
Modern U.S. fabrication shops are taking steps to make production more cost-effective and convenient for manufacturers looking to refocus on U.S. production. Those that offer laser cutting, CNC machining, robotic welding, and full in-house finishing stand to emerge at the forefront of the reshoring movement. Here’s what to look for in a custom metal fabrication partner and how vertically integrated facilities can reduce risk and lead times.
Benefits of Reshoring With a Custom Metal Fabrication Partner
Reshoring is a huge step and can become a significant change to your manufacturing and sourcing processes. To increase your likelihood of a smooth transition, it’s important to select a reliable metal fabrication partner to work with. Here’s how custom sheet metal manufacturing can help make reshoring worth the effort and initial investment:
- Shorter lead times: Sourcing domestically minimizes production delays and allows you to meet market demands faster.
- Cost-effectiveness: Shifting to domestic sources can be more costly initially. However, it can result in long-term savings by reducing tariffs and other expenses associated with extended supply chains.
- Enhanced quality control: Working with a custom metal fabrication provider in the U.S. results in superior metal parts. It also ensures adherence to U.S. quality and sustainability standards, such as NAICS 332.
- Supply chain resilience: Domestic sourcing minimizes international supply chain disruptions and helps you keep inventory in stock.
Despite its advantages, there are a few challenges to consider when reshoring. There’s currently a shortage of skilled metal fabrication laborers in the U.S. Before you shift to a domestic partnership, make sure the fabricator you choose has a sufficient workforce to meet your demands.
The Role of Sheet Metal Fabrication in Stabilizing Supply Chains
If you want to experience success when reshoring with a metal manufacturing partner, it’s crucial to ensure your supply chain remains stable. While it’s normal to have some temporary delays when you first make the switch from international to domestic, such delays should be fleeting. When you’re working with a capable metal fabricator, it shouldn’t take too long to get your supply chain up to speed. Sheet metal fabrication stabilizes supply chains in the following key ways:
- Reduces reliance on multiple vendors, offering turn-key services that include design, bending, cutting, and assembly in one location.
- Ensures consistent quality with the use of high-tech CNC and robotic cutting technologies.
- Lowers costs and waste through lean practices and automation.
- Enables quicker product turnaround times to meet market demands and project deadlines.
- Reduces vendor dependency and eliminates the risks associated with relying on multiple suppliers.
- Boost efficiency and throughput with streamlined operations and automation.
Partnering with a reliable sheet metal fabricator can also lead to reduced international shipping costs and risks. Plus, it brings production closer to home, where it can be monitored and adjusted as needed.
How Automation and Robotics Support Faster Turnaround Times
Automation and robotics can drastically reduce metal fabrication times. Unlike human laborers, machines can run continuously and perform repetitive tasks more precisely and quickly than humans. Automation and robotics also lower the risk of mistakes and the delays that can come from them.
Automation in metal fabrication can also minimize delays caused by injuries or machine malfunctions on the jobsite. Many robotic systems predict their own maintenance needs. They can often warn of potential problems before they lead to breakdowns or worker injuries. When fabrication robots work with skilled humans, production times can be sped up even more.
What to Look for in a Fabrication Partner in 2026
Not all fabrication partners are created equal or have the same capabilities. Therefore, it’s wise to shop around until you find one that’s a good fit for your needs. Here are a few things you might consider looking for in a domestic fabrication partner in 2026.
Experience
Experience is crucial when it comes to trading offshore fabrication with domestic metal manufacturing. Look for a fabricator that brings years of expertise and knowledge to the table. They should be adept at working with various metals and abide by industry regulations and standards.
Reputation
The metal fabrication industry tends to feel pretty small, with various players knowing a lot about each other. When finding an ideal metal fabrication partner, make sure they’re known for being reliable, honest, and reasonable to work with. Ask for some customer references you can contact to learn more about the quality of their work.
Capabilities
To stay relevant in today’s competitive economy, it’s crucial to choose a metal fabrication partner that keeps up with industry trends and innovations. They should be skilled in the use of robotics and automation to streamline their production processes. They must also have the capability to complete your projects precisely, quickly, and well
Should You Bring Domestic Fabrication and Manufacturing Back
If you’ve decided to bring your international operations home and partner with a domestic metal fabricator, your decision could bring in significant cost savings, shorter lead times, and enhanced quality control. Use these tips to help you find a partner that has the experience, reputation, and capabilities necessary to meet your expectations and help you increase your profits.
