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Nearshoring has entered a new phase. What began as a tactical response to supply chain disruption has, by 2026, become a strategic consideration embedded in how private equity firms evaluate risk, structure investments, and position portfolio companies for long-term growth. For investors active in Texas and across the broader North American manufacturing ecosystem, the implications are especially pronounced. Nearshoring is no longer a question of whether to act, but how to do so intelligently and at scale.Nearshoring Is Now an Underwriting Assumption,Not a Contingency PlanPrivate equity firms once viewed nearshoring as a hedge against uncertainty. Today, it increasingly shows up earlier in the investment lifecycle, influencing diligence assumptions and operating models from the outset. Shorter supply chains translate into faster inventory turns, tighter forecasting, and improved customer responsiveness. For portfolio companies serving U.S. markets, particularly those with customers in Texas and the broader Sun Belt, proximity has become a competitive necessity rather than a differentiator.This shift reflects a broader recalibration of risk. Extended ocean transit times, volatile freight costs, and geopolitical friction have exposed the fragility of distant production models. Nearshoring reduces exposure to these variables and brings operational performance closer to management teams and boards. For private equity investors operating on defined hold periods, that visibility and control can materially affect returns.Mexico%u2019s Value Proposition Has Matured Beyond Labor ArbitrageIn 2026, Mexico%u2019s appeal to private equity-backed manufacturers extends well beyond cost considerations. The country has developed deep industrial specialization across regions, supported by a skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and growing domestic supplier networks. Northeastern Mexico, in particular, has emerged as a critical manufacturing hub, with the Matamoros%u2013Brownsville corridor offering direct connectivity to Texas-based operations and customers.For investors, this regional maturity matters. Manufacturing ecosystems in Nuevo Le%u00f3n, Tamaulipas, and Coahuila are now capable of supporting complex, high-mix production across automotive, medical devices, electronics, and industrial components. Site selection is no longer about finding available square footage; it is about aligning portfolio companies with the right talent pools, logistics corridors, and supplier density to support growth through the investment horizon and beyond.Nearshoring in 2026:What Private Equity Investors Must Get RightJorge Gonzalez HenrichsenCo-CEOThe Nearshore Company