Nearshoring is bringing global supply chains closer together

Staying competitive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world economy is difficult. Many businesses are turning to nearshoring — an emerging trend in global supply chains that offers greater control over production timelines, quality assurance, and customer service. But what exactly is it, and why has it become a linchpin for successful businesses?
 

Nearshoring is the practice of transferring a business operation to a nearby country, rather than halfway across the world. From reduced shipping times and costs to better control over quality and easier communication due to similar time zones or cultural affinity, nearshoring is about keeping supply chains geographically close.

The state of affairs

Several major companies, such as HP, Dell, IBM, Microsoft and Huawei are all investing heavily in Latin America as part of their nearshoring plans and its rise in popularity is down to several reasons.

Thanks to unpredictable geopolitical events, fluctuating market conditions, and black swan events like the pandemic, the global business landscape is more challenging than ever. Nearshoring can offer businesses a safer, more reliable option for their supply chains by reducing the risk associated with long-distance supply chains, providing quicker access to goods and services, and enabling better quality control.

Nearshoring can also help businesses reduce operational costs and improve efficiency. By bringing operations closer to home, companies can reap numerous benefits, from reduced transportation and logistics costs to increased responsiveness to customer demands.

Shoring up visibility

Location technology plays a crucial role in nearshoring, particularly in enhancing supply chain visibility. Geolocation tools and geographic information systems (GIS) can provide real-time tracking of goods and assets, giving businesses a clear view of their supply chains, helping to identify potential bottlenecks or disruptions and make informed decisions at speed.

It also allows for route optimization, efficient warehouse management, and process streamlining, leading to cost savings and improved customer service. Being able to monitor goods and chains in real time can increase regulatory compliance and transparency while decreasing paperwork.

Navigating potential pitfalls

While nearshoring offers several benefits, it also comes with its own set of problems. The process of setting up production closer to home can be expensive, involving significant upfront costs such as buying or leasing property, installing new equipment, and relocating staff. Additionally, companies must comply with local regulations and labor requirements, which can vary significantly.

But while offshoring can offer cheaper labor, those savings are often offset by other challenges such as time zone differences, language barriers, cultural misalignments, and lengthy shipping times. Nearshoring mitigates them by providing businesses with easier communication, faster delivery and more efficient collaboration.

Building resilience

Given all the current complexities in the global economy, the case for nearshoring is becoming increasingly compelling. It's not just about cost and efficiency — it's about building sustainable, resilient businesses equipped to thrive amidst uncertainty. By leveraging advanced digital tools, nearshoring provides faster access to goods and services, improved control over quality and customer service, and lower costs and risks associated with long-distance supply chains, all while reducing lead times and transportation costs.