Design It in Michigan, Make It in Michigan: Local Product Design Drives Reshoring Success

As the global manufacturing landscape shifts, the trend toward reshoring – companies that are bringing their production back to the US – is gaining momentum. The Midwest, with its rich history as a manufacturing powerhouse, has been transforming into a hub of advanced production. Leading the charge is Michigan, with $22.4 billion in R&D investments and the fifth-largest advanced manufacturing workforce in the country, making it a key player in this reshoring movement.

But reshoring isn’t just about manufacturing – it’s also a design opportunity. At Sundberg-Ferar, we see this as the perfect moment to make meaningful product improvements. Before companies invest in new domestic tooling and manufacturing, refining designs ensures products are optimized for the customer experience and U.S. production, saving costs and avoiding future risks.

Read on to learn how designing locally sets you up for success in a reshored world.

Why Reshoring is Happening

The move to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. is driven by a mix of pressures and strategic gains. Supply chain disruptions, rising tariffs, and geopolitical uncertainties have made overseas production more unpredictable and expensive. At the same time, there’s growing pressure to align with national priorities, as consumer sentiment and sustainability efforts push for more domestic production.

But reshoring is about more than avoiding challenges – it’s about seizing opportunity. Companies can gain long-term cost savings, streamline operations, and strengthen their brand by producing locally. US-made products often resonate more with consumers, enhancing brand reputation and trust. This shift is as much about gaining a competitive edge as it is about building resilience.

More Than Just Make It Local – Design It Local

Reshoring manufacturing is only part of the story – designing locally is just as important. Designing domestically allows for tighter collaboration, faster feedback loops, and seamless alignment with U.S. regulations and customers. When the design and production teams are in the same time zone, it’s easier to solve problems quickly and ensure the product meets local compliance from the start.

Additionally, reshoring presents an ideal opportunity to implement incremental improvements in your product design. Before investing in new tooling and production lines, refining features, enhancing ergonomics, and other small-scale solutions can make a big impact without huge costs. These modest but strategic changes can set the stage for smoother, more efficient manufacturing in the U.S.

Sundberg-Ferar’s Local Advantage

At Sundberg-Ferar, we support every phase of the design process – from the fuzzy front end to tactical, incremental improvements. Our human-centered approach begins with deep stakeholder research to uncover what features truly matter and which ones can be deprioritized. This insight drives design decisions that align with U.S. manufacturing realities, ensuring products are optimized for both users and domestic production.

Our expertise spans strategic creative engineering, to tactical design for manufacturability, allowing us to guide clients from concept through prototyping. But we don’t stop there. With strong partnerships across Michigan and throughout the Midwest, including collaborations with universities, regional manufacturers, and testing facilities, we offer a unique ability to test and refine designs. Whether your production takes place in Michigan or across the U.S., Sundberg-Ferar’s local knowledge ensures a seamless transition to domestic production.

Ready to Embrace the Future of Reshoring?

If you’re considering reshoring your manufacturing, now is the perfect time to rethink your product design. Reach out to Sundberg-Ferar to see how we can help you and your customers benefit from designing locally, setting you up for success in the future of U.S.-based production.

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