Reshoring manufacturing has become a trend since the pandemic, as reported by outlets like CNBC, and it all comes down to supply chains. But those in industrial CRE who could benefit from it are learning that keeping up with foreign exchange issues and the current strength of the dollar can be as important as monitoring interest rates.

During the pandemic, supply chains broke. Anyone in property development might remember how expensive building materials became because of scarcity. Experts had been warning of this for years. The distances from sources to factories created challenges, like time delays for deliveries and increased transportation costs. Too much concentration of suppliers meant no immediate options if something big went wrong.

But understanding manufacturing and the global flow of goods means having a grasp of foreign exchange and how the relative dominance of a given currency can affect who can afford to make products, based on their location.