70% of US firms eyeing nearshore opportunities
About 70% of businesses in the United States (US) are looking to bring their production facilities closer to American shores, said automation vendor ABB.
In a survey of 1,610 executives from the US and Europe, ABB disclosed that 37% are planning to bring production back home and 33% are looking to nearshore and shift their operations to a closer location.
ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation President Sami Atiya said that companies are being pushed to reshore or nearshore their production to increase flexibility and resilience.
ABB added that this move would also help companies cope with current economic pressures — particularly geopolitical disputes, raw materials shortages, and trade issues.
However, Atiya stated that “while investment in automation plays a key role in flexibility in operations, equally important is [an] investment in education, vocational training, and apprenticeship programs needed to create safer, higher-paying jobs for American workers.”
ABB’s survey also found that the rate of investment in automation remains higher in Europe, with 74% of European businesses indicating they will invest in robotics and automation in the next three years — compared to 62% in the US.
“Robotics and automation are job creators, requiring new ways of working with new skill sets,” Atiya said.
