Area Development
Manufacturing jobs: To repatriate or not to repatriate, that is the question.

The gap in structural costs between U.S. and offshore manufacturing operations has shrunk significantly in recent years - down to 17.6 percent in 2008 from nearly 32 percent in 2006. Some say this trend creates new strategic options for facility and supply chain planning. Others argue that two of the structural drivers - energy costs and taxes - will make it impossible for U.S. manufacturing to regain competitive advantage. Which raises the question: Is it time to start bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.?