AI Meets Manufacturing – Nearshore Launches Sourcing Marketplace of Suppliers across the US, Latin America, and Europe

Date Posted:
April 8, 2025
Nearshoring

The platform launches with over 2,200 factories in 50 categories and 25 countries, from apparel to electronics and packaging

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Nearshore officially unveils its AI-powered manufacturing marketplace, connecting businesses with a network of over 2,200 factories across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Offering an ecosystem of manufacturing partners across industries such as apparel, electronics, and packaging, Nearshore brings much-needed agility and resilience to supply chains once heavily reliant on distant suppliers.

The nearshoring trend has been growing for over a decade, but recent global disruptions—from COVID-19 to shifts in U.S. trade policy—have turned it into a strategic imperative. “This isn’t just a response to tariffs or delays—it’s a smarter way to build,” said Tanya Menendez, co-founder and CEO of Nearshore. “We’re helping companies rethink what’s possible when their manufacturing partners are closer, more agile, and more aligned with their values.”

Developed over the past nine months by a team of supply chain experts and technologists, Nearshore taps into extensive manufacturing networks and advanced technology to highlight often-overlooked factories. As a result, businesses can shrink production timelines and reduce reliance on far-flung suppliers. 

Nearshore’s platform provides:

  • Nearshored Manufacturing Network: Access a searchable database of 2,200+ verified nearshoring factories in countries like the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Portugal and beyond. Source anything from apparel to electronics to home goods. 
  • AI-Enhanced Translation: Communicate seamlessly with suppliers across borders through built-in AI translation tools.
  • Quotes and Introductions: Within minutes submit a Request for Quote (RFQ) and receive direct, no-cost introductions to best-fit factories.
  • Robust Factory Search: Access a searchable database of 2,200+ factories, sortable by category, capacity, certifications, languages, and more. Uncover unique suppliers often missed by traditional sourcing channels.

Spotlight on Nearshored Manufacturing 

Nearshore’s goal is to elevate skilled contract manufacturers and suppliers who are rethinking supply chains closer to home. Shannon Scott, founder of COMUNITYmade and board member of Made in LA Coalition, underscores the importance of visibility: "There is incredible talent in local manufacturing communities.  Platforms like Nearshore shine a light on that talent by connecting skilled factories and makers with the brands who need them to create meaningful opportunities for growth."

From Los Angeles factories pioneering sustainable shoewear to Newark-based shops integrating AI into promotional goods production, Nearshore spotlights the stories behind these forward-thinking manufacturers. According to Ajay Relan, an investor in Nearshore and founder of Slauson & Co., “The companies that win in this new economy will be the ones who rethink old systems. Nearshore offers brands the tools to build smarter, faster, and with partners who are often just one zip code—or one border—away.”

Nearshoring is a Strategic Imperative 

“There’s incredible untapped potential across the Americas,” said Liz Long, co-founder and global manufacturing expert. “I speak with factories in Latin America every day that have the technology and capacity to take on more orders—yet many U.S. buyers don’t know they exist."

The platform has already facilitated sourcing projects in apparel, electronics, packaging, and home goods. Early adopters are seeing lead times shrink, communication improve, and relationships deepen—without the need for brokers or overseas middlemen.

“The supply chains of the future will be built on relationships—not just transactions,” said Cliff Hazelton, co-founder and CTO of Nearshore, and former CTO at Stash. “We’re creating a system where businesses and factories grow together.”

About Nearshore Inc.
Nearshore is an AI-driven manufacturing platform that helps brands find and connect with factories across the USA, Latin America, and Europe—bringing manufacturing closer to home.

To submit a sourcing request or explore the factory network, visit https://www.nearshored.ai.
Media inquiries: press@nearshored.ai

Press release originally published on BusinessWire.

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