Regional factors enabling manufacturing reshoring strategies: A case study perspective

Abstract

Firms’ reshoring strategies have recently sparked academic and policy interest due to their contribution to rebalancing advanced economies. In line with the ongoing debate and by examining the journey of a company based in the West Midlands region of the UK, this work illustrates the adoption of a manufacturing reshoring strategy in response to a changing competitive environment. Further, by utilizing a mixture of primary and secondary data, this work not only shows how regional dynamics are pivotal for attracting manufacturing reshoring but also how regional characteristics can change the narrative on reshoring from a national to a regional focus. By doing so, this work demonstrates how regional implementation of industrial policies can facilitate a multiplier effect in the value of the region by increasing the attractiveness of hosting a manufacturing reshoring strategy.