The Top Line An update on the pharma industry’s reshoring effort
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Apr 3, 2026 
Rosemary Coates, executive director of the Reshoring Institute and longtime supply chain strategist, breaks down pharma’s move to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. She talks about why pharma and semiconductors lead the trend. The conversation covers China-plus strategies, hidden costs of moving plants, API sourcing challenges, and how automation and Mexico factor into long-term plans.
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Personal Pivot From Offshoring To Reshoring
- Rosemary pivoted from helping clients set up in China to founding the Reshoring Institute after seeing political pressure and economic impacts.
- The institute began at University of San Diego and now helps companies assess global manufacturing locations.
Pharma And Semiconductors Lead Reshoring
- Pharma and semiconductors are leading reshoring because the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities and government funding spurred investment.
- Chips and Science Act money plus pandemic lessons drove capital into U.S. production despite wider economic unpredictability.
Reshoring Timelines Are Multiyear
- Reestablishing large automated pharma plants takes significant capital and time, typically 18–24 months to start and 3–5 years for meaningful production.
- Procurement, machine integration and tweaks extend timelines before full domestic output appears.