New Manufacturing Hubs in Supply Chain Diversification: Can They Replace China?

December 2024

New manufacturing hubs are driving supply chain diversification efforts. However, these countries still depend on imports of Chinese components, making supply chains longer and more complex. Challenges like insufficient production capacity and lack of supporting industries continue to impede supply chain diversification. Despite this, the situation could improve over the next decade due to large FDI inflows and investments in trade infrastructure.

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This report comes in PPT.

Key findings

Production diversification efforts accelerate

Global production diversification efforts continue as manufacturing and supply of the critical industrial goods remain heavily concentrated in China. Diversification efforts are the most evident in the US, where rising geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs encourage manufacturing companies to set up alternative production networks.

New manufacturing hubs attract investments

New manufacturing hubs in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe are expected to benefit from the globalisation reset trend and attract new investments into the manufacturing sector. Countries such as Mexico, India, Vietnam and Poland benefit from large labour pools, growing productivity and attractive operating costs, which helps to lure foreign companies.

Emerging hubs remain heavily reliant on China

Supply chain diversification efforts will not deliver desired effects to the full extent, at least in the short term, as new manufacturing hubs remain heavily reliant on component imports from China. This situation is increasing the length and complexity of the supply chains, yet the desired diversification effects are not fully achieved.

Lack of supporting industries and infrastructure remain the key challenge

Insufficient production capacity, lack of supporting industries and underdeveloped trade infrastructure remain among the key challenges hindering the potential of new manufacturing hubs. Companies will need more time and patience to create robust production networks and achieve the desired supply chain diversification effects.

Government reforms can help to accelerate the process

Government efforts and reforms can help to accelerate supply chain diversification efforts. Improvements in business environment, labour market and education system as well as targeted investments into transport infrastructure can help to attract more foreign investment, accelerate development of supporting industries and diversify the global production network.

Why read this report?
Key findings
China remains the global exports leader, but growth stalls as new trade hubs emerge
Market supply of intermediary goods remains concentrated, adding to supply chain risks
Supply disruptions of critical B2B goods would mainly hurt the global manufacturing sector
Global manufacturers aim to diversify from China as global risks grow
New manufacturing hubs have strong future potential, but currently remain reliant on China
Asian countries have strong potential to emerge as future manufacturing hubs
Emerging markets remain reliant on China, indicating further need of supply diversification
India remains reliant on electronics imports from China, transferring risks to supply chains
Vietnam’s reliance on Chinese components grows despite diversification efforts
Mexico is aiming to further strengthen domestic supply chains
Poland emerges as a key manufacturing hub, but will need to rethink its relations with China
Companies will need more time and patience to set up alternative supply chains
New manufacturing hubs need to build up scale to compete with China
Strong supporting industries are required to ramp up production capacity
New manufacturing hubs lack infrastructure, hindering export potential and faster growth
Structural problems in the labour markets hinder faster development of higher-value sectors
Higher energy prices challenge energy-intensive supporting industries
Restrictions on trade and investments hinder performance of manufacturing sector
Low productivity levels hinder development of domestic supply chains
Combination of industrial and public policies can accelerate supply chain diversification
Strong supporting manufacturing and service industries to help diversify supply chains
Case study: Zetwerk helps to connect suppliers and buyers in India
Countries need to spend 4% of GDP on infrastructure to improve access into global networks
Case study: Hutchison Ports invests in Mexico to boost trade capacity
Protection of property, trade freedom and technology regulation are the key for investors
Collaboration with foreign companies can help to access production know-how
Strong domestic markets create incentive to set up new manufacturing facilities
Case study: IKEA expands B2B product line in India
Supply chain diversification and new manufacturing hubs: How to win
Evolution of supply chain diversification efforts
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