Based on a webinar hosted by the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce and IESE Business School on July 16.

The U.S. is witnessing a new wave of interest in manufacturing—but to harness the potential of this focus, companies should not see it as a nostalgic return to the past. Instead, it presents an opportunity to reimagine what industrial strength could look like in the 21st century. This was the central theme of a recent webinar led by Prof. Joan Jané, Dean of IESE Business School’s New York Campus, co-hosted with the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Drawing from historical context, recent research, and current trends, Prof. Jané offered a compelling roadmap for companies seeking to understand and seize the opportunities emerging from this “renaissance,” through a more agile and tech-driven approach to manufacturing.

Five Forces Driving Change

While trade policy and tariffs receive the most attention, Jané emphasized a broader transformation fueled by five interrelated factors:

• Supply Chain Resilience: Businesses are moving from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” strategies in response to global disruptions.
• National Security: Strategic sectors like aerospace and semiconductors are reshoring to strengthen national capabilities.
• Tariffs and Trade Policy: Recent trade tensions have reinforced the push toward regional sourcing.
• Global Labor Trends: Automation and wage convergence are shifting the cost-benefit equation of offshore manufacturing.
• Technology & Agile Manufacturing: Industry 4.0 tools are reducing the need for large capital investments. Modular systems, digital twins, and AI-enabled production are enabling pay-per-use models that increase flexibility and reduce downtime.

Jané highlighted agile manufacturing as a key enabler of this renaissance. As consumer expectations evolve and product life cycles shorten, companies must adapt quickly. Agile systems allow faster transitions between product variants, support customization, and offer access over ownership—representing a “third way” between making and buying: “Make it agile.”

What It Means for Firms

According to Prof. Jané, the U.S. manufacturing revival presents early-stage but significant opportunities for international firms—particularly in sectors aligned with reshoring priorities—as the momentum is not uniform across industries. He emphasized that sectors like pharmaceuticals and aerospace are seeing clearer movement due to national security and supply chain considerations, while others, such as textiles, face longer timelines due to entrenched offshore infrastructures.

Companies operating in or supplying to priority sectors may find opportunities to align with U.S. manufacturers or policy-driven investment flows. Jané also noted that agile manufacturing models and emerging technologies are lowering barriers to market entry, making it easier for smaller or foreign players to participate in high-value segments without the need for heavy capital expenditure.

Finally, he urged firms to stay attuned to policy developments and government incentives, which are actively shaping the U.S. industrial ecosystem and creating new levers for collaboration.

Want to dive deeper into these insights?

Watch the full webinar, hosted by the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce and IESE Business School, featuring Prof. Joan Jané’s expert analysis on the U.S. manufacturing resurgence.

👉 Watch now on YouTube