Reshore Technologies Launches October 2 — New Tool Creates Opportunities for Preston County Manufacturers

Preston County manufacturers will soon have a new tool to help identify customers, strengthen supply chains and pursue business opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to find.

On October 2, National Manufacturing Day, Reshore Technologies will officially launch its manufacturing intelligence platform. The Preston County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA) participated in the platform's summer design pilot and has already seen its potential to help local manufacturers make valuable supply-chain connections.

The concept behind Reshore Technologies is straightforward: If an American company is buying a product overseas, could an American manufacturer make it here instead?

For Preston County companies, the answer to that question could lead to new customers, new suppliers and new opportunities for growth.

Turning Import Data Into Business Opportunities

West Virginia companies import approximately $5 billion in goods annually. During its initial work in the state, Reshore Technologies identified approximately $680 million in potential import-substitution opportunities where domestic manufacturing capabilities may overlap with products currently sourced internationally.

The challenge for many small and midsized manufacturers is identifying those opportunities.

Manufacturers know their equipment, workforce, production capabilities and products. What they often do not have is the time or resources to analyze trade data and identify companies across the country that are importing products they may be capable of producing.

Reshore Technologies is designed to bridge that gap.

Through the platform, manufacturers can explore products being imported into the United States, identify companies purchasing those products and determine whether that demand aligns with their existing or potential manufacturing capabilities.

For a Preston County manufacturer, that means being able to investigate questions such as: Who is buying products similar to what we manufacture? What products are companies importing that we could potentially produce? Where are those buyers located? Could an existing production line serve that market? Would additional equipment or capacity allow us to pursue a new opportunity?

The platform does not guarantee a contract. Companies must still compete based on price, quality, capacity, delivery, certifications and other requirements. What it provides is something equally important—the ability to identify demand and find potential opportunities to compete for new business.

Preston County Helped Shape the Platform

PCEDA was pleased to participate in the Reshore Technologies summer design pilot, which included more than 100 users representing more than 40 organizations.

The pilot gave economic development organizations, manufacturers, importers, industry associations, financial institutions and universities an opportunity to test the system and provide feedback before its national launch.

Preston County manufacturer Bionic Tire Recycling also participated in the early work and experienced firsthand how the platform could expand a manufacturer's ability to identify prospective customers.

"Reshore gives us access to clients we would normally need expensive marketing to reach."

Timothy Davis
Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Bionic Tire Recycling

That capability is particularly valuable for smaller manufacturers that may not have dedicated business-development or market-research staff. Instead of relying solely on traditional sales channels, companies can use actual import demand to help identify businesses that may need what they produce.

PCEDA Can Help Local Companies Put the Data to Work

For PCEDA, Reshore Technologies is more than a database. It is another economic development tool we can use to help Preston County businesses grow.

During the pilot period, the platform has already been helpful in making connections for Preston County manufacturers—both for materials being imported for use in local production and for materials and products manufactured here that are available for distribution.

"The platform is helping us make valuable supply-chain connections for Preston County companies."

Robbie Baylor
Executive Director
Preston County Economic Development Authority

PCEDA can work with local manufacturers to identify potential opportunities through the platform and then help address what may be needed to pursue them.

For example, an opportunity identified through Reshore Technologies may require additional production capacity, new equipment, workforce recruitment or training, financing, certification assistance, supplier connections or additional manufacturing space. Those are areas where PCEDA and its network of local, regional and state partners can help.

Our goal is not simply to identify a potential customer. It is to help Preston County companies determine whether an opportunity is viable and, when appropriate, connect them with resources that can help turn that opportunity into new business.

Starting in West Virginia — With a National Vision

Reshore Technologies was developed and initially tested in West Virginia, giving manufacturers in our state an early opportunity to help shape the platform.

Kentucky manufacturing and import data have now been added, with additional states expected to follow.

The longer-term goal is to expand the platform nationwide, ultimately mapping approximately $3.4 trillion in annual U.S. import demand against more than 286,000 American manufacturers.

That expansion is important for Preston County.

A manufacturer located here does not have to limit its customer base to West Virginia or the surrounding region. As additional states are added, Preston County companies can potentially identify buyers and supply-chain opportunities throughout the United States.

At the same time, reshoring can create opportunities closer to home by helping West Virginia manufacturers identify products and materials currently purchased internationally that could potentially be sourced from domestic suppliers.

For PCEDA, that creates two complementary opportunities: helping Preston County manufacturers find new customers and helping them build stronger domestic supply chains.

The Platform Launches October 2

Reshore Technologies will officially launch on October 2, 2026, National Manufacturing Day.

PCEDA encourages Preston County manufacturers to explore the platform and consider how import data could reveal new customers, suppliers or markets for their businesses.

The question is worth asking:

What is being imported today that your company could manufacture—or supply—here in Preston County?

Manufacturers interested in learning more can access the Reshore Technologies platform at app.reshoretech.com.

Preston County manufacturers that would like assistance exploring the platform or identifying potential opportunities are also encouraged to contact the Preston County Economic Development Authority. PCEDA can help companies evaluate opportunities and connect with resources that may be needed to pursue them.

Let's put Preston County manufacturers in a position to compete for more business—and bring more manufacturing opportunities home.