Edgewater Automation specialises in making automated assembly systems across a wide range of industries, including consumer goods, energy, automotive, and life sciences. The Michigan-based company’s customer base includes some who are reshoring their manufacturing operations. Rick Blake, the company’s founder, says: “There will always be a call for making certain kinds of products in low-cost countries, but when you’re dependent on suppliers that are far away and therefore out of your control, many OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) are finding it too risky.” As well as rising labour costs in emerging markets, there’s also the matter of skill shortages, and fast-changing technology. Edgewater has found many customers are willing to invest in machinery to assemble their goods in North America, leading to a big resurgence in reshoring over the past couple of years.
