Border States is providing customers and partners with its latest information on the impact of tariffs on its product line.
In its “Fact Sheet: Trade and Tariff Impacts”, Border States list a series of products with the percentage made domestically or imported, whether or not they use steel or aluminum, and if the country of origin is within the Mexico, Canada, or China tariff risk. The Fact Sheet lists 16 product categories, including lighting, switchgear, and EMT fittings, along with the company’s response to potential price increases.
Border States is asking customers and partners to contact their Account Manager if they have additional questions, and that they sign up for the distributor’s Commodity and Supply Chain Update newsletters.
In the Fact Sheet posted on March 4, Border States points out that expected impacts of the tariffs include increased cost for components, increased risk for disruption and logistical complexity, and increased inflation. Border States also makes it clear that import information can sometimes be difficult to obtain, so some of the supply information is based on estimates of “what we know today”.
In a response to the tariffs, Border States says:
Border States has been working to prepare for the potential impacts of tariffs both internally and with our vendor community. Actions include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Proactively engaging with vendors to understand their domestic manufacturing/sourcing position and plans to mitigate risks and impacts.
• Using and identifying additional alternate material sources to reduce risk and increase our leverage position.
• Evaluating and executing forward-buy opportunities to delay impacts.
• Shifting spend away from non-strategic suppliers where possible.
• Preparing to leverage volume in price negotiations.
In order to reduce risk, Border States is providing the following advice to customers:
• Provide early visibility to forecasting and inventory needs.
• Accept alternate materials/suppliers across key components where needed.
• Provide accurate need dates to Border States to ensure effective prioritization.
• Avoid “panic buys” that will cause unnecessary spikes in demand and potentially impact availability and lead times.
Although we cannot control these global supply chain issues, we will continue to be transparent with you about the challenges and work closely with our customers and vendors to navigate these challenges together. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your Border States Account Manager.
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