In the latest episode of the Manufacturing Executive Podcast, host Joe Sullivan sits down with Mike Wynn, Vice President at Advanced Purchasing Dynamics (APD), to discuss the challenges and opportunities of rapidly reshoring manufacturing supply chains to North America. With recent events like the global pandemic and the tariff roller coaster of 2025, American manufacturers are increasingly seeking credible, responsive suppliers closer to home.
Wynn, who leads APD’s consulting practice for manufacturing purchasing teams, shares his insights on the triggers that lead companies to seek help identifying North American suppliers, the challenges they face in finding credible partners, and the process APD employs to rapidly vet and introduce suitable suppliers to their clients.
“So what triggers people these days is mainly cost mitigation to counteract the impact of US tariffs, you know, it’s like you said, it’s very much a moving target. And what we find is that sometimes companies have new products or programs where they need new types of suppliers, or even manufacturers are establishing their first plant in North America. But most of the time these days it’s just hey, we got to get out of the. Teraf costs have been killing now in the past few years prior to the current terror force.”
One of the key challenges manufacturers face when attempting to reshore their supply chains is the lack of knowledge their purchasing teams often have about the North American supply base. Having focused on low-cost country sourcing for years, these teams find themselves in unfamiliar territory when tasked with finding regional suppliers. Additionally, each manufacturer has unique requirements, making it difficult to identify suppliers that can meet their specific needs.
APD’s process for rapidly identifying and vetting potential suppliers starts with understanding stakeholder needs at a detailed level upfront. They identify 15-20 attributes that are important to the manufacturer and set targets for each. APD then interviews potential suppliers to vet them against these needs, reviewing the results with the client team and scheduling introduction meetings with suitable suppliers – all within a matter of weeks.
So we capture these two points because what we end up with is a red yellow green chart, right? So at the end for each attribute, each supplier is rated, are they red? I mean, is it a red flag for that attribute? Are they green? Meaning they meet that ideal or are they yellow? Meaning they’re in between the minimally acceptable and the ideal.
Wynn also discusses the importance of considering the total cost of supply when evaluating potential suppliers, not just direct costs like logistics and tariffs, but also indirect costs like engineer travel time and lost productivity due to different holidays. By creating a “mini business case” that outlines the opportunity for suppliers, APD helps their clients attract the attention of North American suppliers who may be overwhelmed with inquiries in the current market.
For manufacturers looking to reshore their supply chains quickly and effectively, the insights shared by Mike Wynn and the team at APD provide a valuable roadmap. By understanding stakeholder needs, identifying key supplier attributes, and rapidly vetting potential partners, companies can navigate the challenges of reshoring and build a more reliable, responsive North American supply base.
To learn more about APD’s rapid reshoring services and read case studies of their success, visit apurchasingd.com and click on the “Consulting” button at the top of the page. For direct inquiries, reach out to Mike Wynn at mwinn@apurchasingd.com.
Stay tuned for more insights and strategies on the Manufacturing Executive Podcast, available on your favorite podcast platform.
