According to Manufacturing.net, GE Appliances and Marlin Steel Wire Products have won the 2025 National Metalworking Reshoring Awards for their successful efforts in bringing manufacturing back to the United States. The eighth annual award ceremony took place at FABTECH at McCormick Place in Chicago, with GE Appliances Vice President of Supply Chain Bill Good accepting on behalf of the company’s 16,000 workers. Good revealed that since 2016, GE Appliances has invested $3.5 billion in U.S. manufacturing plants and recently committed another $3 billion over five years. Reshoring Initiative Founder Harry Moser noted that GE Appliances ranks among the largest of 7,000 known reshoring manufacturers, while Marlin Steel Owner Drew Greenblatt accepted for his company’s 130 workers across four states. This recognition comes as reshoring gains momentum across American industry.
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The Reshoring Trend Accelerates
The awards highlight a significant shift in manufacturing strategy that has been building for over a decade. What began as a trickle of companies returning production to the U.S. has become a strategic imperative for many manufacturers. The pandemic-era supply chain disruptions exposed the vulnerabilities of extended global supply chains, prompting companies to reconsider their manufacturing footprints. GE Appliances’ $6.5 billion total commitment demonstrates that reshoring isn’t just about political sentiment—it’s becoming a core business strategy for ensuring supply chain resilience and responding to consumer demand for American-made products.
Scale Versus Agility in Reshoring
The contrast between GE Appliances and Marlin Steel illustrates two distinct but equally valid approaches to metalworking and manufacturing reshoring. GE represents the large-scale, capital-intensive model with massive investments in established facilities, while Marlin exemplifies the small and medium-sized enterprise approach with distributed operations across multiple states. This diversity suggests that reshoring isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. Large companies can leverage their scale for major facility investments, while smaller manufacturers can maintain agility through regional distribution of specialized capabilities.
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Supply Chain and Economic Implications
The recognition of these companies by major industry associations including the Precision Metalforming Association and AMT signals broad institutional support for reshoring initiatives. However, the transition presents significant challenges beyond the initial investment. Companies must rebuild skilled workforces, reestablish domestic supplier networks, and navigate the higher cost structure of U.S. manufacturing. The success of companies like GE Appliances suggests that these challenges can be overcome through long-term commitment and strategic planning, but many companies may struggle with the operational complexities of reshoring.
Future Outlook and Industry Impact
Looking ahead to the 2026 awards ceremony at IMTS 2026 in Chicago, the reshoring movement appears poised for continued growth. The May 31, 2026 application deadline for next year’s awards will likely see increased competition as more companies publicize their reshoring successes. The critical question remains whether this represents a permanent structural shift or a cyclical response to recent global disruptions. The substantial investments being made, particularly by established manufacturers like GE Appliances, suggest that at least some portion of this reshoring will prove durable, fundamentally altering the North American manufacturing landscape for years to come.
