Today’s American Manufacturing Outlook: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Path Forward
American manufacturing has long been a prevalent part of our country’s economy, but it has recently re-entered the national spotlight in a big way. In fact, according to Google Trends, searches for the term “reshoring” reached an all-time high in February 2025 and have continued to rise since then. (Interestingly enough, Missouri tied Washington D.C. as the two regions that searched this term most frequently—an interesting tidbit for our Missouri machine shop.)
Between reshoring efforts, tariff policies, and an increased focus on domestic supply chains, the landscape of American manufacturing is changing rapidly. For businesses like KCSP Machine, this shift brings both new opportunities and challenges, requiring us to be as proactive and communicative as possible in our partnerships with customers.
The Case for American Manufacturing
There are plenty of macro-level benefits of strengthening manufacturing in our country:
National security: A strong domestic industrial base supports defense needs.
Economic impact: According to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), every dollar spent in manufacturing has a total impact of $2.64 on the U.S. economy.
Job creation: The same NAM study found that for each worker in manufacturing, 4.8 employees are added to our economy, including material suppliers, platers, heat treaters, and transportation professionals.
Tariffs and Material Costs: Navigating the New Normal
The team at KCSP Machine began noticing a flurry of rush orders in Q1 for companies trying to get ahead of the tariffs, particularly on aluminum components. Our small but mighty team needed to work overtime, truly running on overdrive to keep up with this influx of orders and increased demand. As material costs fluctuate, we’ve been keeping close contact with suppliers. Our strategy includes:
Monitoring market indicators to anticipate price hikes.
Communicating proactively with customers about potential pricing shifts.
Exploring material alternatives to help customers manage their costs.
Reshoring and promoting American manufacturing are noble goals—but how they are implemented will make all the difference. From our perspective as a Kansas City machine shop deeply connected to the local manufacturing ecosystem, here are the areas where manufacturers need support:
Workforce development: To deliver high-quality CNC machined components and continue to offer specialized capabilities like Swiss machining and screw machining services, we need skilled workers. Local and national workforce development programs are essential to train the next generation of machinists.
Access to capital: Whether it’s investing in brand-new, cutting-edge equipment or expanding our existing services, capital is key. Loan programs and favorable interest rates help small manufacturers (like us!) scale responsibly and invest in automation when needed.
Sound policies: An economic framework that fosters growth, stability, and predictability is critical for manufacturers to plan ahead without fear of sudden regulatory or market shifts.
How KCSP Machine Supports Customers Through Change
At KCSP Machine, we’re committed to helping customers navigate uncertainty. We offer:
Material insight and sourcing support: If a specific material is unavailable or has spiked in price, we can help identify alternatives that meet engineering requirements.
Proactive communication: Customer service means everything to us. Whether it’s pricing updates or project delays, we keep our customers in the loop. Always.
Flexible solutions: From blanket POs to inventory agreements, we’re happy to work with customers to mitigate future price increases.
When it comes down to it, we’re all in on American manufacturing. As a precision machine shop focused on offering top-tier service, KCSP Machine is passionate about supporting reshoring efforts and helping build a stronger domestic supply chain. While there may be growing pains—including navigating tariffs and material volatility—we hope the long-term benefits make the challenge worthwhile.
Do you need precision machined parts from a trusted American supplier? Request a quote from KCSP Machine for a partner that’s proactive, communicative, and darn good at what we do.