According to an article from IndustryWeek.com, due to the rising cost of shipping, US-based manufacturers may start migrating back to US soil.  The article cites a study conducted by Archstone Consulting.

For years, the concept of off-shoring, or moving production and/or sourcing operations to a foreign country, has been the mantra of any supply chain manager looking to cut costs.  Now, amid volatile oil prices and an uncertain global economic future, this analysis no longer is a certainty.

– John Ferreira, Principal, Archstone Consulting

The article goes on to cite the following findings from the study:

In the last 3 years:

• Ocean freight costs have increased 135%, highlighting risks and cost volatility.
• The global commodity price index has risen by 27%.
• The Chinese Yuan has gained 18% in value compared to the U.S. dollar.
• Chinese manufacturing wages have risen by 44%.

Obviously this trend could ultimately lead to more US jobs.  The questions is, given the cost of overhauling a manufacturing supply chain, will companies stop considering and actually move manufacturing back to The States?