How Are New Tariffs Affecting Sign Companies?

QUESTION:

Is your company currently experiencing any effects of the recently imposed tariffs?

Yes: 56%

• Indirectly — uncertainty in buying decisions. — Edward DeZuzio, Butler Sign Co., Wayne, NJ
• Clients are cautious, holding off on projects. — Myrna Orensten, Imaginality Designs, Golden Valley, MN
• Pricing specifically for materials and supplies is affecting our estimates sent out months ago, finally getting approved and now affecting margins. — Louis DeSantis, Sign Shop Illuminated, Colorado Springs, CO
• Aluminum/metal lettering going up. Mallory Lynn, Signarama Brighton, Brighton, CO
• We use a lot of ACM which is made in China, so we purchased about six months’ worth to avoid what’s coming. — Peter Poanessa, Keene Signworx, Swanzey, NH
• We had steel pricing increase 25% for a large pylon sign at bid stage, and we had to go back to the customer to explain the reason for the increase. We did close the job. — Rick Ferraro, Spectrum Sign Systems, Blaine, MN

No: 44%

• Not as of this date. — Christopher Potts, DCS Corp., Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Years ago we experienced supply and quality issues with products made in China, and we’ve also experienced delays with products coming from Europe, so we source USA-made goods. — David Kaiser, Digitype Design, Tualatin, OR
• No noticeable actual increases in materials… so far. Also no change in customers-projected work… so far. — Harold Pedley, Sign Engineering, San Juan, PR
• Not yet, but we’re anticipating price increases and looking for ways to manage. — Kelley Campbell, Specialty Graphic Solutions, Vancouver, WA

One Quick Question:

What area of your company (if any) is being affected most by the tariffs?

How long do you think the tariffs will last in their current form?