6 Reasons to Source Stainless Steel Castings from a US Foundry
Cutting Shipping and Lead Times is just one benefit to onshoring.
Supply Chain, Lead times, and Tariffs, Oh My!
Since 2020, businesses have grown accustomed to supply chain disruptions. Even the term supply chain has shed its corporate jargon status to part of the vernacular. In fact, in September 2022 Merriam-Webster officially added supply chain to its dictionary (1). While society is moving further and further away from the lockdowns of 2020, the unpredictability we've experienced throughout the 2020s has more businesses reevaluating where they source their castings from than ever before.
For years, companies have turned to offshoring and nearshoring to take advantage of cheaper labor and production costs. While overseas foundries might seem cost-effective at first, hidden challenges—from port delays to communication barriers—can quickly erode those savings. Choosing a U.S.-based stainless steel foundry offers several tangible advantages: faster turnaround times, strict compliance with domestic industry standards, seamless collaboration, and reduced exposure to geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Whether your project requires adherence to "Buy American" mandates, demands high-quality metallurgical consistency, or simply benefits from a transparent and responsive supply chain, sourcing domestically can pay dividends. In this article, we’ll explore just that - Here are 6 reasons why sourcing your stainless steel castings from a US-based foundry can benefit your business.
Let's get into it!
1) Avoid Tariffs, Port Delays & Economic Uncertainty
In recent months (post written in April 2025), tariffs have been a hot topic in the United States and globally. Sourcing investment casting overseas often means navigating unpredictable tariffs (e.g., Section 232 steel tariffs), customs bottlenecks, and geopolitical risks. These concerns can quickly compound when considering costs/delays for obtaining and shipping raw materials in addition to finished castings. Opting for a US-based foundry can eliminate or dramatically reduce these hidden costs and supply chain disruptions, providing stable pricing and reliable delivery.
2) Faster Lead Times & Lower Shipping Costs
To borrow a real estate cliche, location is everything. Domestic production means shorter transit times, no ocean freight delays, and reduced logistics/shipping expenses. As an additional note, in the event of quality concerns or a recall, international shipping times only amplify the problem.
Moving production to the States, allows you to trade 30+ days at sea (and even longer in port) for 2-5 days from a domestic foundry. For many industries, (like aerospace, defense, or medical equipment), speed can be critical—U.S. foundries help ensure on-time delivery.
IPC Foundry Group operates two, modernized domestic foundries located in Lindon, Utah, and Marble Falls, Texas; allowing us to serve companies from coast to coast. Both foundries have provided quality castings for over 45 years; and have experience serving dozens of industries including oil & gas, defense, aerospace, medical, power generation, mining, construction, and many more. IPC constantly adds to our capacity and capabilities and would love to help tackle your next precision casting project.
IPC Foundry Group has rich experience in casting stainless steel including 300 series, 400 series, and Precipitation Hardening.
3) Compliance with Domestic Sourcing Requirements
Many U.S. industries (defense, infrastructure, energy) require compliance with the Buy American Act (BAA) or DFARS. A domestic foundry guarantees adherence to U.S. laws and quality standards, avoiding legal hurdles or contract disqualification.
In addition to meeting sourcing and production requirements, many industries can take advantage of grants (such as the Build Back Better program for industries in the power generation sector) and government stipends for utilizing United States-based manufacturing. Opting for a domestic foundry and doing homework can save your business significant production costs.
4) Seamless Communication & Collaboration
Time zones, language barriers, and cultural differences can create costly misunderstandings. With a U.S. foundry, you get:
Real-time communication (no 12-hour email delays).
Clear Language Alignment
Easier site visits for quality audits or project reviews.
Alignment with Western business practices and IP protections.
Let's explore each of these in a bit more detail.
No Off-hour Communication:
Things change fast, so opting for a foundry working in the same timezone (or nearby) can make a huge difference. Need a part expedited, want to try a new 3D print file for your prototype, or have a burning question? Get responses while you are in the office, not asleep. Choosing a foundry that you can communicate with clearly and consistently is one of the most vital factors in finding a quality production partner.
Avoid Language Barriers
Offshore manufacturing often introduces linguistic and cultural hurdles that lead to costly issues such as misinterpreted specs, delayed responses due to timezone gaps, and more.
By onshoring, you can almost entirely eliminate these risks. Teams are able to collaborate in real-time, contracts are enforceable in familiar legal systems, and quality standards are communicated without ambiguity. The result? Streamlined production, zero "lost in translation" defects, and fewer headaches.
Easier Site Visits:
Choosing a domestic stainless steel foundry means you can easily visit facilities in person. Whether you hope to audit quality control processes, evaluate capabilities before partnering, or need to troubleshoot issues face-to-face, proximity makes everything easier. A same-day drive or quick flight to the foundry allows for face-to-face collaboration with engineers, hands-on inspection of castings at critical production stages, and faster resolution of technical challenges. This proximity transforms supplier relationships from transactional to strategic, ensuring transparency and trust at every step. When quality and responsiveness matter, nothing replaces being there in person.
IP Protection:
Choosing a domestic partner adds the additional inherent benefit of IP protection. A domestic foundry will function in the same legal framework, offering you added protection and dramatically reduced costs should disputes ever arise.
5. Transparent Supply Chain & Shared Economic Climate
U.S. manufacturers operate under the same regulatory, economic, and environmental conditions as their customers. This means:
No surprises from foreign policy shifts (e.g., trade wars).
Better visibility into raw material sourcing (e.g., conflict-free metals).
Shared sustainability/ESG goals (lower carbon footprint vs. overseas shipping).
Consistency is the name of the game when onshoring your production. By taking time to find a quality stainless steel foundry in the United States, you can ensure quality, consistent manufacturing for years to come.
6) Superior Quality Control & Accountability
Improved Quality Control
With domestic sourcing, companies can more closely monitor production quality, ensuring that all parts meet stringent specifications. As mentioned above, you can quickly visit a domestic foundry to review their QC protocols and work alongside them to implement your own standards.
Standards and Certifications
Many U.S. foundries adhere to strict standards and certifications that can give you peace of mind when selecting a manufacturing partner. These foundries commit to production standards, follow strict QC protocols, frequently improve their facilities, and invest in advanced metallurgy/testing.
This offers numerous benefits:
A foundry that meets required quality standards (NADCAP, ITAR, ISO 9001, etc.).
Easier litigation/recourse for defects vs. overseas suppliers.
Strict QC compliance
Consistent metallurgical properties (no "corner-cutting").
But Wait, There's More
Choosing domestic manufacturing boosts U.S. jobs and reduces reliance on foreign supply chains—a growing priority for government contracts and corporate ESG initiatives. Furthermore, shortening the supply chain can reduce your carbon footprint as well as promote fair labor practices. If these points matter to your customer base (or your business) they offer even more reasons to onshore your production.
Bonus Reasons to Opt for Domestic Production
✔ Supports U.S. jobs – Strengthens local economies and skilled labor pools.
✔ Lower carbon footprint – Reduces emissions from long-distance shipping.
✔ Transparency – Ensures ethical sourcing (e.g., conflict-free materials, fair labor practices).
Conclusion
Onshoring your stainless steel investment casting offers numerous benefits to your business, including a simplified supply chain, reduced shipping times, ease of communication, industry compliance, cost savings, and more. Current market volatility, with looming tariffs and trade wars, makes opting for onshoring a decision that can benefit your business for years to come.
At IPC Foundry Group, we offer comprehensive casting solutions with a keen focus on building long-term relationships and manufacturing solutions that scale to your needs. Contact us today to see how we can help you navigate the complexities of onshoring and how we can help you with your next precision casting project.
Sources:
1) “We’ve Updated the Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary with 370 New Words.” Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/new-words-in-the-dictionary-september-2022.
