# 285: Why Offshoring Looks Cheaper (But Isn’t): The Real Math Behind Reshoring with Harry Moser

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2026-04-28
- Length: 53m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Harry Moser, founder of the Reshoring Initiative, explains why offshoring often appears cheaper than it is due to a failure to account for Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). He argues that an overvalued dollar and short-term corporate thinking have hollowed out U.S. manufacturing, costing millions of jobs, and proposes policy fixes like a weaker dollar and stable tariffs to reverse this trend. Moser details how reshoring can restore the middle class, improve national security, and reduce emissions, while advocating for a U.S.-Mexico partnership to reclaim supply chains from Asia.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=0) Introduction and Harry Moser's Background
- [6:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=387) The History of U.S. Manufacturing Decline
- [17:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=1036) The Reshoring Initiative's Mission and Goals
- [20:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=1247) Root Causes: The Dollar, Tariffs, and Policy
- [26:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=1610) The Future of Manufacturing Jobs and Automation
- [34:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=2054) Societal and National Security Impacts of Reshoring
- [40:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=2412) Actionable Advice for Companies and Policymakers
- [45:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-28-285-why-offshoring-looks-cheaper-but-isnt-the-real-math-behind-reshoring-with-ha#t=2704) Nearshoring, US-Mexico Cooperation, and the 2026 Survey

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Reshoring Initiative (company)
- Singer Sewing Machine (company)
- Cleveland Twist Drill (company)
- National Acme (company)
- Agie Charmilles (company)
- MIT (other)
- Lean Enterprise Institute (company)
- FAMA (other)
- TCO Estimator (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Bring 5 Million Manufacturing Jobs Back to the U.S. w/ Harry Moser](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-06-01-bring-5-million-manufacturing-jobs-back-to-the-u-s-w-harry-moser) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Why Reshoring Matters: For Our Economy and Our National Security w/ Harry Moser](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-02-11-why-reshoring-matters-for-our-economy-and-our-national-security-w-harry-moser) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [The Hard Truths About Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Eddy Azad](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-04-21-the-hard-truths-about-reshoring-american-manufacturing-w-eddy-azad) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [What Does “Made in America” Mean to You?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-13-what-does-made-in-america-mean-to-you) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Rapid Reshoring: Building a Reliable North American Supply Chain w/ Mike Wynn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-08-05-rapid-reshoring-building-a-reliable-north-american-supply-chain-w-mike-wynn) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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