Harry Moser Speaks Reshoring with PMA

In 2010 an initiative with the goal of bringing good, well-paying manufacturing jobs back to the United States by assisting companies to more accurately assess their total cost of offshoring, was started by Harry Moser, founder of Reshoring Initiative.

Moser will speak at Sourcing Solutions ™ powered by the Precision Metalforming Association on September 30 – October 1, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sourcing Solutions is a powerful procurement program that brings together buyers and suppliers of fabrications, metal stampings, components, special tooling and dies, assemblies and more. The program is designed to introduce buyers to top-quality suppliers in a single location who have been pre-screened based on buyer specifications. 

Last week, we had the opportunity to speak to Harry and to ask him a few questions about the mission of the Reshoring Initiative and about his personal connection to this mission. 

Harry Moser, Founder, Reshoring Initiative

Q: What drove you to take initiative with this issue?

A: I grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey and the biggest thing in town was the Singer sewing machine factory. It was the largest factory in the world about 100 years ago, when most people owned a sewing machine. My father and grandfather both helped run the factory, and I also worked there during the summers in high school and college. I drove by one day about 5-10 years ago and the factory was all gone, and everything had been offshored. 

Q: How do you encourage companies to consider reshoring?

A: First we document the strengths of the reshoring trend by showing companies the amount that is being reshored, and how other companies in their industry are successful doing it. Second, we promote reshoring by giving presentations around the country to spread awareness of the initiative. Finally, we encourage companies to visit our website and view the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) estimator to help them evaluate their own operation.

Q: What is your vision for reshoring in America?

A: The goal is to bring jobs back to the United States and to eventually eliminate the trade deficit within 25 years. More specifically, it would be ideal if within 5 years half a million jobs were brought back to the states. If companies continue to use the TCO calculator to make smarter decisions, as well as political and economic stability, we could reach our goals.

Q: How can associations like PMA help this cause?

A: PMA can help by continuing their support and spreading the word about reshoring. By reporting “cases” of members that have reshored, other companies considering reshoring could follow suite. Companies may feel more confident buying American supplier jobs than relying on offshore manufacturing if they have seen success from other companies.

Q: How long do you think China will remain the worldwide leader in manufacturing?

A: The Chinese economy has lost a lot of momentum and credibility recently with the rise in wage rates. As a result, there are an increasing number of companies reshoring back to the United States. To help the cause, consumers should consider purchasing “Made in U.S.A.” products over foreign products, especially significant purchases. Walmart has committed to spending billions of dollars per year on U.S.-made products, and my current project involves helping them accomplish this by 2022. 

Q: Can you speak to your involvement in PMA’s Sourcing Solutions event and how this involvement supports your initiative? 

A: I will be giving a presentation on what is happening on the trend of reshoring, including how many jobs are coming back, what industries are reshoring, and why they are deciding to come back. I also will be demonstrating how to use the TCO estimator and other tools for making smart sourcing decisions, as well as providing examples for reshoring in the industry.

Thank you for speaking with us, Harry! 

For more information about the Reshoring Initiative: 

Email - info@reshorenow.org 

Phone - 1 (847) 726-2975

For information about Sourcing Solutions, visit the event homepage or contact Ilene Schwartz (ischwartz@pma.org / (216) 901-8800).