Onshoring with MPP: Building Reliable Supply Chains

Did you know global shipping costs surged by more than 200% during the pandemic? This volatility is just one reason manufacturers are turning to onshoring, which has emerged as a smarter, more resilient approach to manufacturing. By sourcing components domestically, you gain better control over costs, quality, and delivery times. At MPP, we simplify your supply chain and keep your projects moving forward.

Manufacturers are reevaluating their strategies due to ongoing supply chain challenges. Increased tariffs, longer lead times, and fluctuating shipping costs make sourcing from abroad less attractive.To explore the advantages of onshoring, we sat down with Ryan Rice, our Chief  Operating Officer. With over 20 years of experience in engineering, supply chain, and operations, he shared insights into why onshoring isn’t just asolution – it’s a competitive advantage. Here’s how MPP delivers value in a competitive market:

The Hidden Costs of Global Sourcing

At first glance, global sourcing might seem cost-effective, but hidden expenses often tell a different story. Tariffs, shipping delays, and unexpected fees can quickly add up, making overseas production less appealing. Ryan shared a striking example: during the pandemic, shipping costs skyrocketed from $7,000 to $25,000 per container almost overnight. When you factor in a 25% tariff, the financial impact becomes unsustainable for many businesses.

Beyond rising costs, global supply chains introduce longer lead times, and resolving quality issues often causes significant delays. International shipments typically take 4–5 weeks, forcing businesses to carry extra inventory, which ties up valuable cash flow.

Now, imagine this scenario: your supplier in India manufactures 10,000 parts, and it takes 8 weeks to ship them to the U.S. While those parts are in transit, the factory produces another batch of 10,000. When the first shipment arrives, you discover quality issues. Suddenly, you’re not just dealing with 10,000 defective parts; you also have 10,000 in transit and another 10,000 potentially flawed parts already in production. Now you’re looking at 30,000 suspect parts, creating a major disruption for your operations.

Onshoring eliminates this scale of risk. With domestic suppliers like MPP, problems are identified and resolved quickly, significantly reducing the number of defective parts in the pipeline. Our seven U.S.-based facilities provide real-time communication and faster resolutions, so quality issues are handled before they impact your production schedule.

The Onshoring Advantage: Cost, Quality, and Lead Time

Ryan emphasized the key benefits of onshoring: cost stability, superior quality, and faster lead times.

1. Cost Stability

   Sourcing from the U.S. mitigates uncertainties. Domestic components eliminate risks associated with tariffs, duties, and changing trade agreements, providing a stable cost structure for manufacturers.

2. Superior Quality

   Domestic sourcing enables close collaboration with suppliers to ensure each part meets your specifications. With seven U.S.-based facilities, MPP provides advanced expertise in powder metallurgy (PM), metal injection molding (MIM), aluminum components, and soft magnetic composites. This hands-on approach ensures consistent quality and reliable performance.

3. Faster Lead Times

   Onshoring dramatically reduces delivery times. With facilities in Indiana, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, MPP delivers to most U.S. customers within 1 to 3 days – a significant improvement over weeks-long international shipments. This speed enhances inventory management and operational efficiency.

Supporting Sustainability Goals

Onshoring isn’t just beneficial for your bottom line, it’s also good for the environment. Sourcing domestically reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-haul shipping. Additionally, eco-friendly manufacturing processes like PM and MIM help minimize waste and energy consumption. At MPP, we’re proud to help businesses align their goals with environmental responsibility.

Building Resilience into Your Supply Chain

Supply chain disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, port delays, or other factors are common challenges for engineers.

Ryan stressed the importance of resilience:
“By collaborating with MPP, you’re developing a stable and reliable supply chain, protecting your operations from unpredictability.”

MPP simplifies this process with a one-stop-shop model. Our capabilities span powder metallurgy, metal injection molding, including the use aluminum and soft magnetic materials, and secondary operations like machining and grinding. This approach minimizes complexity and ensures smooth, reliable delivery.

Why Choose MPP?

At MPP, we’re more than a parts manufacturer – we’re a partner dedicated to your success. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Localized Production: With seven facilities across the U.S., we reduce the need for long supply chains.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Our PM and MIM processes offer material and energy efficiency, delivering significant savings over traditional methods like machining or casting.
• End-to-End Support: From design collaboration with applications engineers to secondary operations, MPP simplifies your supply chain while delivering superior results.
• Industry Expertise: With decades of experience serving industries such as automotive, outdoor power, off-highway equipment, and recreation, we understand your challenges and deliver tailored solutions.

Let’s Build a Better Supply Chain Together

Onshoring is more than a manufacturing strategy – it’s a way to future-proof your business. With MPP, you gain a reliable partner dedicated to reducing disruptions, accelerating lead times, and maintaining exceptional quality. When you partner with MPP, you’re not just sourcing components – you’re building a smarter, more resilient supply chain.