Reshoring Manufacturing: The Texas Craftsman Factory Dilemma
The attempt to establish a highly-automated Craftsman tool factory in Texas highlights the challenges faced by American businesses in reshoring manufacturing. The $90 million facility, intended to showcase "Made in the U.S.A." products, faced setbacks due to the pandemic, supply chain issues, and technology deficiencies. The factory struggled with testing machinery integral to its automated vision, leading to production issues and a choice between costly adjustments or running at half capacity. Ultimately, the plant was closed, impacting sales and resulting in layoffs. The closure raises questions about the availability of Texas-made tools, with some becoming collectors' items. Other U.S. facilities continue to produce tools using more manual processes.
