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As import tariffs continue to reshape global supply chains, more domestic manufacturing is either being reshored from overseas or is the result of foreign companies locating here to serve the U.S. market and avoid steep duty payments.
This means increased demand for all kinds of Class C hardware needed to secure equipment to the floor, connect racking systems, support production equipment, assemble structural components, and keep new manufacturing lines operating on schedule.
Manufacturers Investing $2B in U.S. Plant Development
Manufacturers across industries including steel, rare earth, medtech, and defense are investing nearly $2 billion in expansion, renovation, or construction of U.S. plants, according to Manufacturing Dive. Many of them are receiving state and federal incentives as the Trump administration works to increase the domestic manufacturing base and create jobs.
Among the projects listed was USA Rare Earth breaking ground on an 800,000-square-foot rare earth metal and magnet plant in South Carolina. The $1.2 billion investment will increase the company’s U.S. output of raw materials for defense, aerospace, semiconductor, and other sectors.
In North Carolina, structural steel fabricator SteelFab announced it is investing more than $19 million to expand its operations at a plant in Fayetteville. The company plans to add 108,000 square feet, including three fabrication bays, two prep bays, and two shape lines.
Ford Moving Ahead With Major Reshoring of Manufacturing
Ford Motor Co. plans to expand domestic production of its Lincoln vehicles starting in 2030, part of an ongoing reshoring shift away from China as the company takes advantage of the current favorable climate for U.S. manufacturing.
Ford did not release details about investment levels, plant locations, and additional capacity. The company, which uses its domestic production as a marketing hook, said more than 2 million vehicles were built here in 2025, including Lincolns at plants in Kentucky and Illinois.
New Audi Facility Slated for Georgia
German carmaker Audi plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Georgia, which was announced by President Trump and Audi CEO Gernot Doellner. The project, which still needs approval by parent Volkswagen, will be backed by $1.4 billion in incentives from the state toward the $4 billion cost, and help Audi sidestep stiff import tariffs.
Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with production to start up in the early 2030s. The plan will be designed to handle production of up to 200,000 vehicles annually, including luxury Audi SUVs, creating 4,500 jobs.
Chinese Parts Maker Plans First U.S. Plant in North Carolina
Chinese auto parts maker Xingyu Automotive Lighting Systems plans to open a 121,800-square-foot manufacturing facility in Landis, North Carolina, its first in the U.S. The $50 million facility is expected to create 300 jobs.
The facility will specialize in plastic injection molding production to build smart and standard automotive headlight and taillight components. Initial hiring is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with actual production ramping up during the second quarter.
Belgium’s Stow Group Opens First U.S. Site in Georgia
Stow Group, a Belgian maker of industrial racking and storage systems, opened a 240,000-square-foot plant in Calhoun, Georgia, representing an investment of $40 million to $50 million. It’s the company’s eighth plant worldwide and the first in the U.S., with the other seven in Europe.
U.S. warehouse operators that source from Stow Group will now be able to reduce their lead time on deliveries from 12-15 weeks for imported products to six to nine weeks for systems produced domestically. It will feature fully automated production lines and robotic precision welding technology.
What Stepped Up Plant Investment Means for Fastener Buyers
New domestic manufacturing capacity is driving demand for fasteners and attachment hardware that hold production equipment, racking systems, structural assemblies, and finished products together. These components need to be specified, sourced, and available when production requires them.
For purchasing teams, these investments introduce sourcing priorities that begin well before a facility opens or production shifts. OEM specifications, engineering approvals, supplier qualification, and inventory planning all take time, particularly when parts require custom configurations or tooling applications.
Buyers should identify hardware requirements early, confirm reliable sources, and establish replenishment plans that align with construction milestones and production ramp-ups. Domestic manufacturing capacity can shorten finished product lead times, but those gains depend on a fastener supply base that is ready when production needs it.
BRF: Fastener Sourcing for Manufacturing Projects
Blue Ribbon Fastener helps OEMs source standard and specialty fasteners required across manufacturing applications. With more than 40 years in the industry and approximately 200,000 standard fastener SKUs, BRF offers a broad sourcing base for production hardware, including imported standard fasteners and domestically produced specialty items. Our sourcing capabilities can help procurement teams address requirements spanning multiple fastener categories and drawing-specific applications.
BRF delivers 98% on-time delivery, 99% part acceptance, ISO 9001:2015 certification, PPAP as a Service, and custom samples to blueprint. These capabilities support manufacturers that need responsive quoting, quality documentation, and parts that meet defined specifications.
Whether you’re equipping a new facility, expanding an existing production line, or qualifying hardware for a domestic manufacturing program, early sourcing can help reduce last-minute procurement gaps. Contact Blue Ribbon Fastener with your BOM or drawings to discuss your requirements and request a super fast quote