Reshoring revisited: manufacturing devices in Europe

After decades of relocating manufacturing to China, there’s a growing interest among Western device and appliance manufacturers to move manufacturing away from Asia and closer to home. From this perspective, let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of relocating device manufacturing back to Europe and give you recommendations to define your device manufacturing strategy.

The interest in more local and European manufacturing is not new for several reasons. Besides obvious political and ideological drivers, manufacturers have seen big swings in transportation costs and supply chain disruptions during the past years. Meanwhile, China’s labor cost has risen, along with Western awareness of sustainability and social responsibility. As a result, some appliance manufacturers are considering relocating their manufacturing back to Europe, where they’ll benefit from higher standards, closer proximity to customers, and more stable political and legal systems.

As you navigate this transition, ensuring that your product’s journey from idea to industrialization is seamless and efficient is crucial. To safeguard a consistent quality and effective operation during the industrialization phase, you’ll need a trusted partner to guide you through every production step:

• Supplier management: selecting a manufacturer with the right expertise and facilities to deliver consistent, long-term production quality.
• Manufacturer audit: through rigorous audits, potential manufacturing partners are reviewed to meet the key criteria for your project’s success.
• Testing and precertification: setting up and implementing comprehensive testing throughout the entire product development cycle, from conception to qualification, so your product meets all necessary standards before it hits the market.
• Quality and technical file: specific product specifications, work instructions, maturity grids, and validation documents will guarantee quality at every production stage. 
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning: cutting-edge technology to optimize sustainable production processes, and reduce waste and energy consumption, all while maximizing uptimes.

More and more, product and device manufacturers are showing a growing preference for EU-made components and goods. Why? It’s about avoiding the challenges often associated with ‘Made in China’ products, such as quality concerns, long shipping distances, rising travel costs, and limited control over production processes. The tips in this perspective are based on the hands-on experience of our consultants during recent projects, offering valuable insights to help manufacturers adapt to this growing trend.