Manufacturing Digital April 2026 | Page 89

SUPPLY CHAIN
SHIFTING SUPPLY CHAINS EXPLAINED
Near-shoring: The practice of transferring a business operation or supplier network to a nearby country, for instance a US manufacturer moving suppliers from Asia to Mexico, to reduce transit times and logistical risks.
Friend-shoring: Sourcing materials and manufacturing from countries that share similar political and economic values, minimising the risk of disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts or trade wars.