Manufacturing Articles

Emerging Manufacturing Hubs: Why Southeast and South Asia are Winning Over Businesses

By Casey Ross / September 6, 2024

Southeast Asia and South Asia offer simple regulatory frameworks and higher growth potential, making them attractive alternatives to China for contract manufacturing operations. Key players in these regions include Thailand, Vietnam, and India, each presenting unique advantages. Thailand Thailand is expected to see steady economic growth moving forward, with a projected GDP increase of 3.9%…

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Why Now is the Time to Relocate Manufacturing Outside of China

By Casey Ross / September 6, 2024

Southeast Asia and South Asia have become increasingly attractive options for OEMs seeking stability and resiliency. This trend, which began in earnest during the pandemic, continues to accelerate as OEMs from a variety of sectors have come to appreciate the simple value proposition that other Asian countries can offer. Yet, there is more than just…

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Looming Threats to China’s Trade and Manufacturing Landscape

By Casey Ross / August 13, 2024

The relationship between the US and China has been deteriorating over recent years, as evidenced by ongoing trade wars, trade deficits, military posturing, and ideological conflicts. The imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods by the Trump administration aimed to correct trade imbalances and address concerns over intellectual property theft and unfair trade practices. The continuance…

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Comprehensive Guide to Stamping

By Casey Ross / July 31, 2024

What is Stamping? Stamping is a crucial manufacturing technique that transforms flat metal sheets or coils into specified shapes. This process encompasses several methods, including punching, blanking, bending, and piercing, utilizing machinery equipped with dies. It is a versatile method extensively employed across various industries to produce large volumes of uniform parts with exceptional accuracy.…

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Risk Management and Tariffs: Diversifying Manufacturing from China to Vietnam, India, and Thailand

By Ben Unruh / June 20, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the fragility of global supply chains, revealing the pitfalls of overreliance on a single source. Production delays and shortages highlighted the need for a resilient supply chain, which is crucial for the survival and continuity of businesses in turbulent times. In response, companies are increasingly turning to diversification as a…

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DIVERSIFY YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN

By Ben Unruh / November 13, 2023

As global markets expand, supply chains must adapt to new challenges driven by competitive pressures, consumer demands for sustainability, and the unpredictable nature of international trade. Globalization has created intricate supply networks, making companies vulnerable to risks like geopolitical tensions and economic fluctuations. Diversification mitigates these risks by spreading dependencies across multiple suppliers and regions,…

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Friend-shoring, Near-shoring, Re-Shoring and other buzzwords.

By Ben Unruh / November 13, 2023

Ok, that’s a lot of corpo-speak in single headline. Friend-shoring, Near-shoring, and Re-Shoring are relatively new terms Supply Chain professionals–all touted as potential solutions to the Section 301 tariffs and increasing geopolitical risk associated with sourcing from China. They’re new words, but they aren’t new ideas. In fact, Align Manufacturing and it’s partners have been…

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