10 Reasons to Onshore Your Investment Casting Projects
"Made in the USA" is more than just a nice sticker you can put on your company's packaging; for many businesses, bringing their manufacturing back to the United States has been an absolute game-changer. From the peaceful assurance of regulatory compliance and simple, effective communication to manufacturing tax credits and beyond, the decision to onshore manufacturing is increasingly appealing - and for good reason!
In today's blog, we'll explore 10 advantages to bringing your investment casting and metalwork projects to the United States. While this isn't an exhaustive list, we hope this will help you look beyond the attractive cost savings of foreign manufacturing and how your company could benefit from onshoring your next casting project.
1) Flexibility and Customization for your Metalworking Project
Proximity to domestic foundries provides a significant edge in design flexibility for your casting projects. Proximity facilitates seamless communication and swift adjustments during pre-production, ensuring adaptability as your needs evolve. Should you choose to update your product's design in subsequent production cycles, the benefits of rapid first articles and prototypes are invaluable, allowing you to receive samples and experiment with them in just a few days/weeks instead of months with international foundries.
Moreover, domestic foundries excel in offering comprehensive finishing capabilities, including painting, machining, and stamping. Faced with competition from low-cost foreign foundries, domestic finishing services often come at a highly competitive cost, allowing you to elevate your product's visual appeal without compromising your budget.
2) Environmental Sustainability & Reduced Carbon Footprint
Onshoring your investment casting results in proximity. This ensures that the transportation of raw materials and finished products is more localized, resulting in shorter travel distances and, consequently, lower emissions. Additionally, whether through mandate or their own volition, domestic foundries are often at the forefront of adopting energy-efficient technologies and sustainable production methods, further minimizing the environmental impact of your metalworking projects.
The recent enactment of the Build Back Better Act under the Biden administration signals a significant shift toward cleaner manufacturing in the United States (1).
As government grants and investments flow into the steel and aluminum sectors, it's evident that green manufacturing processes and technologies are poised for substantial growth in the coming years. Augmented by existing mandates, these investments steer the U.S. towards a leadership position in low-carbon manufacturing, particularly in green casting and metalwork. If environmental consciousness is a priority for your clientele, onshoring your metalwork demonstrates your commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing practices.
Onshoring your manufacturing helps support sustainable manufacturing.
3) Intellectual Property Protection Through Onshoring
Onshoring investment casting projects can provide an added layer of protection for intellectual property. Dealing with a domestic foundry reduces the risks associated with intellectual property theft or unauthorized replication, offering a sense of security for companies investing in proprietary designs and technologies.
In cases of IP theft, domestic foundries operate within the familiar legal framework. If legal action becomes necessary, the litigation process is markedly smoother domestically compared to navigating the complexities of international legal proceedings.
4) Richly Experienced Investment Casting Foundries
You'll find no shortage of richly experienced teams while searching for foundries in the United States. For example, the IPC Foundry Group's Texas facility has over 50 years of experience creating castings for and helping clients in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. That level of expertise allows you to rest easy, knowing your production is in good hands. Furthermore, if questions arise or you have a unique/challenging production needs, you'll want the very best to help tackle it.
Take your time to find a foundry with credentials that match your production needs; it'll pay dividends!
5) Easy Communication with Manufacturing Team
Efficient communication is paramount to the success of any manufacturing project. In choosing a domestic foundry, the advantage of a shared language and cultural understanding significantly minimizes the risk of miscommunication, ensuring that your design specifications and project requirements are clearly conveyed and accurately interpreted.
When partnering with a U.S.-based foundry, you benefit from direct and immediate communication (no navigating significant timezone differences), facilitating real-time updates, feedback, and collaborative problem-solving. This proximity allows for agile adjustments during the production process, ensuring that any modifications or refinements, can be swiftly implemented. Whether you have questions about the manufacturing timeline or seek clarification on specific design elements, the ease of communication with the production team ensures a smooth and transparent collaboration.
This transparent communication channel fosters clear understanding and paves the way for a streamlined quality control process. Leveraging a foundry's existing QC practices and integrating any necessary additional checks allows you to align the manufacturing process with your stringent quality standards. A reliable partner goes the extra mile to accommodate your requirements, and with a robust foundation and transparent communication, you can rest assured that your products meet your standards well before they leave the foundry.
The value of open and accessible communication cannot be overstated, especially when dealing with intricate processes such as investment casting. Take your time in selecting a foundry that you can communicate effectively with, it'll make a massive difference in your production cycle and save tons of headaches.
Communication is key in every step of the investment casting process - from product development to finishing work.
6) Quicker Shipping & Turnaround Times
Opting for U.S.-based foundries for your investment casting projects translates to expedited shipping and turnaround times. Proximity minimizes international shipping challenges, ensuring prompt delivery of your precision cast components. Reduced transit distances not only streamline the supply chain but also accelerate time to market. During pre-production or follow-up production cycles, domestic foundries grant quicker access to prototypes and first articles, allowing you to test and experiment with your cast components sooner and make manufacturing decisions in a fraction of the time.
7) Easily Visit & Check Progress at the Foundry
Do you have a production concern or want to get a firsthand look at your metal parts production cycle? Choosing a U.S.-based foundry for your investment casting projects brings production closer and offers easy accessibility. With a short drive or flight, you can visit the foundry, allowing you to engage firsthand with the production process, inspect facilities, and build a stronger partnership with your manufacturing team. This accessibility ensures that collaboration isn't limited to emails, calls, or Zoom - but rather, you can easily and cost-effectively visit the production facility. The ability to visit a foundry builds transparency, trust, and a deeper understanding of your project's intricacies and development cycle.
8) Regulatory Compliance, UL- Certification, and Other Manufacturing Stamps of Approval
In the careful selection of a domestic foundry, you are making a deliberate choice for adherence to U.S. manufacturing standards. It's crucial to note that international foundries may not consistently meet these same rigorous standards - which encompass not only quality control but also considerations such as workers' rights and emission standards. Your specific industry may impose unique manufacturing standards, and opting for an international foundry could result in potential misalignment with these crucial criteria.
Moreover, U.S. foundries often strive for an elevated level of quality, securing certifications such as UL certification ISO certification, and more. These esteemed stamps of approval not only signify a commitment to excellence but also assure that your products and manufacturing processes adhere to the highest industry standards. Importantly, these certifications carry global recognition, positioning your domestically produced products for a successful release in any market.
9) Grants, Tax Credits, & Government Mandates
A major reason for the recent trend of onshoring stems from a surge of grants, tax credits, and government mandates in the United States. One such example is the Biden Administration's Build Back Better initiative.
Under the initiative, substantial funding is allocated to revitalize critical sectors, including steel and aluminum, with direct implications for investment casting. This influx of government grants and investments fuels innovation and encourages adopting sustainable practices within U.S. foundries. (2).
Moreover, the initiative introduces tax credits designed to incentivize domestic manufacturing. Opting for a U.S.-based foundry for your investment casting projects allows your business to tap into these financial incentives, potentially reducing operational costs and enhancing overall financial viability. (3.)
Government mandates in many countries require baseline manufacturing standards to be met and marks like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or CE (Conformité Européenne) indicate that your product meets manufacturing, health, safety, and environmental standards. Your industry may even have a unique set of standards for selling in your country or region.
When you opt to onshore your investment casting needs, you not only have the opportunity to meet these government mandates and standards, but you also open yourself to numerous opportunities for tax breaks, cost savings, and the ability to sell your products in markets around the globe.
Many countries, including the US, Japan, and the EU have manufacturing standards that must be met before products can be sold.
10) Made in the USA - Marrying Quality & Marketing Power
In manufacturing "Made in the USA" label symbolizes unique, unparalleled quality. When you hear the phrase, maybe your mind even flashes to famous American brands like Harley Davidson, Levis, or Nike. Our earlier exploration of the U.S. manufacturing sector emphasized its commitment to precision and reliability, making a U.S.-based foundry the epitome of excellence for investment casting projects.
Yet, the value extends beyond craftsmanship. The "Made in the USA" tag inherently carries potent marketing potential. For customers and industries, it signifies more than just origin—it embodies pride, commitment to quality, and calls to the tide of support for domestic products.
This label represents dedication to superior craftsmanship and ethical manufacturing. As the demand for locally sourced goods rises, the "Made in the USA" becomes a compelling marketing tool, attracting those who prioritize quality and responsible production.
Moreover, aligning with the current trend of supporting local economies, choosing a U.S.-based foundry positions your brand as a contributor to the resurgence of domestic manufacturing. As we've explored above, there are also tax breaks and grants that provide additional incentives to do so.
In summary, manufacturing in the USA ensures top-tier quality and unlocks a marketing potential rooted in consumer preferences, making it a strategic and impactful choice for investment casting projects.
Sources:
1) Lazzaro, Nick. “US Emphasizes Steel and Aluminum in Clean Industry Plan.” S&P Global Commodity Insights, February 15, 2022. https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/energy-transition/021522-us-emphasizes-steel-and-aluminum-in-clean-industry-plan.
2) “The Build Back Better Framework.” The White House, December 3, 2021. https://www.whitehouse.gov/build-back-better/.
3) “Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Races to Deploy Clean Energy That Creates Jobs and Lowers Costs.” The White House, January 12, 2022. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/12/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-races-to-deploy-clean-energy-that-creates-jobs-and-lowers-costs/.
Disclaimer:
The content provided in this blog is intended for informational purposes only. We make no guarantees regarding the completeness of the information presented. It is imperative for individuals seeking casting/manufacturing solutions to define their specific requirements clearly. This blog does not offer manufacturing or casting advice, and readers are encouraged to contact our dedicated team for more detailed quotes, personalized information, and expert assistance tailored to their unique needs. 