The Chemical Connection Onshoring PCB Production—Daunting but Certainly Possible
It’s Only Common Sense: The Phone Is Still Mightier Than the Keyboard
Survey Says Reshoring is a TCO Equation
August 13, 2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Harry Moser, founder of the Reshoring Initiative, and Kathy Nunnally of Regions Recruiting partnered to survey contract manufacturers and OEMs earlier this year, querying them about their offshoring beliefs and practices. They found that while offshoring, tariffs, trade balances, and the like, are important to a company’s bottom line, there’s a larger and more extensive issue: workforce. In this interview, they detail the results of that survey and what they believe can and should be done to fix this long-standing issue.
Nolan Johnson: Harry and Kathy, let's start with some background on the Reshoring Initiative.
Harry Moser: I founded the Reshoring Initiative in 2010 as a nonprofit with a mission to balance the goods trade deficit, which was $1.2 trillion last year. We do that by documenting the trend so people can see it's real and happening, and by promoting the trend. We believe that by having tools such as our Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Estimator available to help companies make smarter decisions, they can buy smarter and, in some cases, such as with contract manufacturers, sell smarter. That may convince the OEMs to buy from them.
Johnson: Harry, how did you come to be working in this space?
Moser: I was president of a $100-million-a-year company, and when I turned 65, the Swiss parent company told me it was time to leave. Since I was available and knew someone had to do something to reverse offshoring, I volunteered myself. Fortunately, I had excellent support from various manufacturing trade associations over the years, helping to make this possible.
Johnson: Kathy, what brought you to this project?
Kathy Nunnally: Regions Recruiting is supporting the manufacturing and B2B distribution industries with talent. We're helping advance those businesses with top talent, and it's an exciting time to be in the industry.
To continue reading this interview, which originally appeared in the August 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
The Chemical Connection Onshoring PCB Production—Daunting but Certainly Possible
10/22/2025 | Don Ball -- Column: The Chemical ConnectionIn the past year, several potential customers, concerned about the impending application of tariffs on incoming goods, have asked us what it would take to bring their circuit board production back to the U.S. While they also had other considerations, the threat of new tariffs was the tipping point that started them thinking about the economic advantages of bringing their manufacturing back onshore. It might be interesting to relate our experiences with two of those inquiries.
Waging the Battle for American PCB Reshoring
10/21/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineLegislation is shaping global trade, tariffs, and sustainability and environmental regulations. David Schild of PCBAA discusses exactly where the U.S. stands in its efforts to reshore printed circuit board manufacturing for critical industries. This conversation at PCB West occurred on the first day of the federal government’s shutdown, so it seemed especially timely to hear David's thoughts and insights on how the current political climate is affecting efforts to achieve the U.S. industry’s reshoring goals.
Dutch Government Takes Control of China-Owned Chipmaker Nexperia, Citing Security Concerns
10/14/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe Dutch government has taken control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, escalating tensions with Beijing amid intensifying global disputes over semiconductor technology and intellectual property.
SEMICON West: The Path to a $1 Trillion Future
10/14/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007After more than 50 years in San Francisco, SEMICON West moved its 2025 show to Phoenix, which is significant because it highlights the importance of Arizona as a semiconductor and tech hub. Though the show will be back in San Francisco in 2026, the overwhelmingly warm welcome SEMI received from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and ASU President Michael Crowe—who has been responsible for ASU repeatedly achieving the U.S. News and World Reports most innovative university ranking—was remarked upon repeatedly. All indications are that SEMICON West may well be back in Phoenix after that 2026 season.
Elementary, Mr. Watson: High Power: When Physics Becomes Real
10/15/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonHave you ever noticed how high-speed design and signal integrity classes are always packed to standing room only, but just down the hall, the session on power electronics has plenty of empty chairs? It's not just a coincidence; it's a trend I've observed over the years as both an attendee and instructor.