# Jim Tompkins on the Future of Reshoring in U.S. Manufacturing

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/manufacturing-talk-radio-1026458/jim-tompkins-on-the-future-of-reshoring-in-u-s-manufacturing.md
Podcast: [Manufacturing Talk Radio](https://stenobird.com/podcast/manufacturing-talk-radio-1026458)
Published: 2026-03-23T16:33:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/CSN5738907560.mp3?updated=1777049040
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/CSN5738907560.mp3?updated=1777049040
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/manufacturing-talk-radio-1026458/episodes/jim-tompkins-on-the-future-of-reshoring-in-u-s-manufacturing
Duration seconds: 2062

## Resource

Host Lewis Weiss interviews Jim Tompkins about his career path from industrial engineering academia and the Army to founding Tompkins Solutions and later launching Tompkins Ventures, a matchmaking firm that connects manufacturers with partners for logistics, procurement, technology, automation, AI, and organizational development, typically offering recommendations without consulting fees and earning a success fee when solutions are implemented. Tompkins discusses how manufacturers can focus on core competencies while outsourcing non-core functions, the challenges of maintaining quality in outsourcing, and VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) as the operating reality for global supply chains. He explains reshoring as a risk-mitigation hedge tied to adaptability, digital twins, scenario planning, AI, and automation, and outlines four factors for what to reshore: value density, demand volatility, IP sensitivity, and automation potential. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:40 Tim’s Career Origin Story 01:18 From Seminars to Global Supply Chain 02:56 Launching Tompkins Ventures 03:51 How Ventures Helps Manufacturers 04:42 No Fee Model Explained 06:19 Success Fees and Partner Network 07:45 Why Outside Expertise Matters 10:12 Virtual Companies and Outsourcing 11:07 Quality Control in Outsourcing 13:44 VUCA Defined for Supply Chains 17:10 Reshoring as Risk Mitigation 18:19 Surfing the Next Disruption Wave 22:25 Resilience Over Pure Efficiency 25:13 What to Reshore Four Criteria 26:59 Tariff Refunds Supreme Court Fallout 32:12 Wrap Up Contact and Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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