Reshoring your injection molding – steps to take

Your injection molded components are coming from outside the U.S. Maybe due to possible tariffs, quality issues, long lead time, difficult communication, etc., but you have decided to bring those components back to being manufactured in the United States, what now?

You are experienced at supplier selection, so you have been here before. Only now, time is your biggest obstacle. Existing orders will be in various parts of the supply pipeline, and you can order more, but those are outside the U.S. border. They will exhibit whatever issues you currently have AND will possibly be subject to the pending tariffs.

After years of offshoring, the U.S. manufacturing base has taken a hit, no disputing that. Capacity can be ramped up, but there is that time factor again.

What steps do you need to take to get a domestic source or sources going to maintain your pipeline?

Here are some suggestions to consider:

Component analysis

Assess the components you are bringing back. Accept the fact that even if you own the mold being used offshore, you may not be seeing it any time soon. So, every part needs to be approached like it is a new part coming out of design that will need a new mold designed, built, sampled, and qualified (which can be huge in itself).

Material Analysis

What resin is specified for the components being assessed? Is it available in the U.S.? Is now the time to make the smart move of approving additional (alternate) resins?

Site Selection

Is now the time to assess where the parts need to be for their next level work or proximity to key suppliers or customers?

Molding Requirements:

Identify the specifics of the molding taking place offshore now. Document specifics like mold specifications (manual or auto running), injection press specifications, processing information if you can get it. This is information for your future prospective mold shop and molder. Recognize that some offshore sources may be running programs on presses and settings that differ from established norms. (remember quality issues referenced earlier).

Mold and tooling sourcing:

Locating U.S. mold makers to design and manufacture molds for the required components, using the molding requirements documented from current source.

Injection molding sourcing:

Locating U.S. injection molding suppliers to make the required components THAT HAS AVAILABLE CAPACITY.

HUGE TIME AND COMMUNICATION SAVER: FIND A MOLDER THAT CAN BOTH DESIGN AND MAKE THE MOLD(S) AND INJECTION MOLD THE PRODUCTION PARTS. PlastiCert can be that mold and molding supplier for you.

Decision time:

MAKE YOUR DECISION AND GO WITH IT. THERE WILL BE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPANIES RESHORING AND AVAILABLE CAPACITY WILL START TO VANISH.

Material sourcing:

Work with the injection molding supplier to source  your specified resins and other raw materials (like insert molding components).

Logistics management:

Establishing efficient logistics networks for finished component delivery.

Component Qualification

Collaborate with your chosen supplier to get first production qualified and validated.

With resin sourcing and mold lead-times the time to act IS NOW.

Beating not just your competition, but MANY U.S. manufacturers that were sourced offshore will determine your future cost viability.

You may even find out that the cost savings you thought you were getting offshore were invalid. Factoring all costs and logistics like the pipeline volume, communication, scrap, and quality.

Need help bring your parts back? Give us a call.

PlastiCert is experienced at reshored molding. With both inhouse mold design and build, as well as high quality molding including insert and over molding, PlastiCert can be your answer to getting your parts resourced to the U.S. as quickly as possible.