MrEurope’s manufacturing sector is entering a new phase as businesses move away from supply chain strategies built solely around low-cost production. Growing geopolitical uncertainty, shipping disruptions, rising freight expenses and increasing demand for faster delivery are prompting manufacturers to reassess how and where they produce goods. According to Hakan Aydoğdu, CEO of CNC automation specialist Tezmaksan, nearshoring is rapidly becoming a strategic requirement for manufacturers seeking greater resilience and operational stability.
“For decades, companies prioritised low labour costs when deciding where to manufacture,” said Mr Aydoğdu. “However, recent disruptions have exposed the weaknesses of long and complex supply chains. Manufacturers are now placing far greater value on agility, visibility and reliability.”
Across Europe, industries including aerospace, defence, automotive and precision engineering are shifting production closer to regional markets to reduce dependency on distant suppliers. The trend is being accelerated by rising defence investment and continued aerospace growth, both of which are increasing pressure on machining capacity and component availability.
Research from Capgemini highlights the scale of this transition, showing that the number of companies investing in nearshoring or combined reshoring and nearshoring strategies rose from 42 per cent in 2024 to 56 per cent in 2025. The shift signals a broader move towards regionalised manufacturing networks designed to strengthen supply chain resilience.
However, Mr Aydoğdu warns that relocating production closer to home is only part of the solution. “Nearshoring alone does not guarantee competitiveness,” he explained. “European manufacturers face higher labour costs, ongoing skills shortages and increasing pressure to improve productivity. Without automation, regional production risks becoming financially unsustainable.”
Automation technologies are therefore becoming central to the success of nearshoring strategies. Robotic loading systems, lights-out machining, manufacturing execution system (MES) traceability and simplified CNC programming are enabling manufacturers to reduce labour dependency while improving machine utilisation and production efficiency.
The challenge is particularly significant for small and medium-sized manufacturers, many of which remain hesitant to adopt advanced automation due to concerns around complexity, infrastructure changes and implementation timelines.
“Manufacturers do not need automation that disrupts operations,” added Mr Aydoğdu. “They need practical, scalable systems that integrate easily into existing production environments and deliver immediate operational value.”
As Europe continues to reshape its supply chains, countries such as Türkiye are expected to play an increasingly important role by combining geographical proximity with productive and flexible manufacturing capabilities. “The debate is no longer about whether production should move closer,” said Mr Aydoğdu. “The focus now is on ensuring that local manufacturing can compete globally through efficiency, flexibility and automation.”
Founded in 1981, Tezmaksan is a European industrial technology company specialising in robotics, CNC machine tools and advanced manufacturing solutions. Headquartered in Istanbul, the company designs and manufactures a wide range of industrial equipment in Europe, including CNC machines, machining centres, lathes and milling systems, serving customers across the European market. Tezmaksan provides innovative automation technologies alongside comprehensive training, technical support and engineering services tailored for industrial and commercial manufacturing applications.
