In recent years, the concepts of nearshoring and friendshoring have gained increasing attention in the context of global supply chains. Increasing geopolitical instability, economic changes and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic have led many companies to rethink their production and supply strategies.
While different, these practices represent innovative approaches to improving resilience and reducing risk. Nearshoring refers to the relocation of production or sourcing operations to countries close to the company’s headquarters or consumer markets. Friendshoring, on the other hand, focuses on building supply chains with allied countries that share values and political stability.
Nearshoring is a direct response to the problems associated with traditional offshoring, such as long distances and logistical complexity. Countries such as Croatia, Poland, and Tunisia have become popular nearshoring destinations due to their proximity to Europe, competitive costs and availability of skilled labour.
Tunisia in particular stands out for its growing electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry, which benefits from geographical proximity to Europe and significant tax incentives. Tunisian EMS companies focus on exporting high-quality products, making nearshoring easier for many European companies.
According to a 2023 study by the Italian NUVV (Nucleo di Valutazione e Verifiche degli Investimenti Pubblici, or Nucleus of Evaluation and Verification of Public Investments), supply chain resilience is now considered a strategic priority at both industrial and geopolitical levels in Italy. Companies can no longer rely exclusively on distant suppliers, but must diversify and reduce their dependence on a single country or market.
Friendshoring has emerged as a response to growing geopolitical tensions, such as the US-China trade war and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. This approach is based on geopolitical and value alignment between the countries involved, creating more secure links for the supply of raw materials and critical components. The concept is particularly relevant for sectors such as semiconductors, telecommunications and critical raw materials, where stability of supply is essential.
In the European context, friendshoring is supported by initiatives such as the EU Chips Act, which aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on Asian semiconductor production by mobilizing €43-billion of public and private investment. The aim is to increase the share of European semiconductor production from 10% to 20% by 2030. This approach not only strengthens the resilience of supply chains but also supports the green transition, as highlighted by the European Green Deal.
In this rapidly changing global landscape, nearshoring and friendshoring are emerging as solutions to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on distant or unstable markets. Electronic Partner has a key role to play in this emerging ecosystem, putting its expertise and resources at the service of companies navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain marketplace.
Our experience, strengthened by collaborations in countries such as Tunisia and Poland, allows us to identify reliable new sources of supply and guarantee our customers genuine solutions even in times of crisis or market instability, such as post-Covid.
We specialize in sourcing and supplying high quality electronic components, including those that are rare or hard to find. The opportunities offered by new supply channels, such as Tunisia, are an incentive for us to diversify and ensure continuity of supply even in complex market situations.
Our services complement the capabilities of EMS companies:
Unlike many nearshoring and friendshoring strategies, which can lock companies into rigid contracts, Electronic Partner is flexible. As an independent distributor, we are not tied to any particular vendor. This allows us to respond quickly to changes in the market and provide you with a bespoke service that evolves with your needs.
We are always on the lookout for potential and reliable sources of supply in new geographical locations created by the establishment and/or development of new production centres. These frequently create opportunities with particularly competitive prices compared to anywhere else (including Asia).
Contact us today to find out how we can improve your supply chain and help you successfully navigate the complex global electronics landscape.
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