Scaling the Ocean Podcast

In Episode 2 of the Scaling the Ocean Podcast, host Bernie Youngblood sits down with global supply-chain strategist Rosemary Coates, Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute and President of Blue Silk Consulting, to explore one of the most urgent questions facing manufacturers today:

How does political instability reshape global trade—and what should companies do about it?

With more than 30 years advising companies worldwide, Rosemary shares firsthand insight into how tariffs, geopolitical conflict, and shifting trade policies are forcing companies to rethink where—and how—they manufacture. From the rise of Mexico as a manufacturing powerhouse, to the long-term implications of tariff volatility, to the hidden risks exposed by the pandemic, this episode offers practical guidance for UK and European executives considering expansion into the US market.

🎯 Key Takeaways

—Why uncertainty—not tariffs—is the greater threat to trade
—How geopolitical events disrupt global manufacturing and supply chains
—Why many companies are adopting “China+1” and multi-country sourcing strategies
—Why Mexico is emerging as a major global manufacturing hub
—How tariff volatility freezes investment and hiring decisions
—How companies should evaluate manufacturing locations in the US
—Why expert advisors are essential when expanding into new markets

Whether you’re a manufacturer, investor, policymaker, or executive navigating global expansion, this conversation provides critical perspective on managing uncertainty and building resilient supply chains in a rapidly changing world.

📚 Chapters

00:00 – Introduction: Why Political Chaos Does Not Benefit Trade
02:18 – How Tariffs and Policy Swings Create Business Uncertainty
07:45 – Lessons from History: Tariffs and the Global Economy
12:42 – The Shift Away from China and the Rise of Multi-Country Supply Chains
19:40 – Why Mexico Is Emerging as the Next Manufacturing Powerhouse
28:35 – How UK and European Companies Should Approach US Expansion

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on global expansion and manufacturing strategy.

📌 Conference attendees: This conversation will continue live at the GAMBICA UK Laboratory Industry Conference: [https://www.gambica.org.uk/event/gambica-l...]

🔗 Learn more about Rosemary Coates: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarycoates/]

🔗 Learn more about her published books: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarycoates...]

🔗 Learn more about the Reshoring Institute: [https://reshoringinstitute.org/]

🔗 Learn more about Bernie Youngblood: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/]

🔗 Learn more about ThinkPartners Advisory: [https://thinkpartnersadvisory.com/]

#USMarketEntry #ReshoringInstitute #ThinkPartnersAdvisory #BusinessPodcast #ScalingtheOceanPodcast

What does it really take for UK life science and laboratory equipment companies to succeed in the US market?

In the inaugural episode of Scaling the Ocean, host Bernie Youngblood is joined by Caroline Collings-Wood, an experienced Non-Executive Director, executive mentor, and Scale Up Director with Innovate UK EDGE South East. Together, they cut through optimism and myths to explore the operational, cultural, and leadership realities of entering and scaling in the US market.

This conversation draws on Caroline’s board-level experience working with UK manufacturers, innovators, and scale-ups—and focuses on what US customers quietly expect, where UK companies most often underestimate the challenge, and why under-investment and hesitation so often stall momentum.

🎯 Key Takeaways
—US buyers evaluate credibility and commitment, not just product quality
—Under-investment kills momentum faster in the US than in other markets
—Distributors alone rarely create sustainable US traction
—Brand visibility, service infrastructure, and responsiveness are non-negotiable
—Entering the US is not a sales tactic—it’s a strategic leadership commitment

This episode is essential listening for Managing Directors, founders, and senior leaders considering US expansion, particularly in life sciences, laboratory equipment, and technical manufacturing.

📚 Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Scaling the Ocean
03:12 – Why UK Companies Look to the US (and Why Many Hesitate)
08:45 – Selling Into the US vs Building a US Business
15:40 – What US Customers Expect (But Rarely Say Out Loud)
25:10 – The Real Cost of US Expansion
30:50 – Leadership, Culture, and Conviction

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more candid, board-level conversations on US market entry and expansion.

📌 Conference attendees: This conversation will continue live at the GAMBICA UK Laboratory Industry Conference: https://www.gambica.org.uk/event/gambica-lab-conference-2026.html

🔗 Learn more about Caroline Collings-Wood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinecollingswood/

🔗 Learn more about Bernie Youngblood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/

🔗 Learn more about Innovate UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk

🔗 Learn more about ThinkPartners Advisory: https://thinkpartnersadvisory.com/

#USMarketEntry #LifeSciences #LabEquipment #UKManufacturing #InternationalExpansion #GlobalGrowth #USExpansion #BoardLevelStrategy #BusinessLeadership #ExportGrowth #GAMBICA #InnovateUK #BusinessPodcast #ScalingtheOceanPodcast