Reshoring vs Nearshoring vs Offshore
Three sourcing strategies, three different trade-offs. Here's what each means for knitwear — and how to pick the one that fits your brand.
“Where should we make it?” usually comes down to three strategies. None is universally best — each optimises for something different.
Offshore
Producing far from your market — typically far-Asia (China, Vietnam, Bangladesh). Strengths: lowest unit cost at high volume, vast capacity. Trade-offs: longest lead times, highest MOQs, more complex logistics and oversight, and (for the US) potential Section 301 tariffs on China.
Nearshore
Producing near your market — Turkey for Europe, Mexico for the US. Strengths: fast transit, lower MOQs, agility, easier communication and visits, often favourable duty. Trade-offs: not the absolute cheapest at huge volume. See nearshoring to Europe.
Reshore
Producing domestically in your own country. Strengths: shortest lead times, “made in [home]” story, tightest control. Trade-offs: usually the highest cost and the most limited capacity and machinery for knitwear.
The trade-off triangle: offshore wins on unit cost at scale; reshore wins on proximity and story; nearshore balances speed, flexibility and cost. Most growing knit brands land on nearshore.
Where Turkey sits
Turkey is the classic nearshore choice for Europe (EU Customs Union, days of transit) and a competitive option for US brands weighing Asia (see Turkey vs Asia for US brands and Turkey vs China). It's built for the mid-sized, design-led, speed-sensitive programmes where offshore is too slow and reshore is too costly. Tell us your priorities and we'll be straight about fit.
Ready to make it?
Send a tech pack, a reference garment or a brief. We respond within one business day with a capacity check, indicative pricing and a sample timeline — direct with the founder.