As a TCIA Board member and a long-time industry participant, I’ve seen plenty of challenges come and go, but few have been as persistent and unpredictable as tariffs. For those of us involved in equipment manufacturing or purchasing, the ongoing shifts in global trade policy are more than headlines – they’re real issues that affect our businesses and bottom lines.

Whether you agree with them or not, tariffs are shaping U.S. manufacturing in tangible ways. They could directly impact the cost, availability and lead time of the equipment our industry depends on every day. For manufacturers, this has created an environment where constant vigilance is the norm. Every new trade development prompts fresh rounds of “what-if” scenario planning.

• Will this tariff take effect?
• Which country of origin is impacted?
• What percentage applies, and to which product category?
• Is this better or worse than last month?
• What about components that are sourced globally but assembled locally?

You could earn an advanced degree just trying to sort it all out.

Behind the scenes, manufacturing teams are devoting huge resources to forecasting and reforecasting these scenarios. Supplier conversations are nonstop – especially when a single component might drastically affect a unit’s cost basis.

In tree care equipment, we rely on a mix of steel, rubber, hydraulics, plastics, wiring and electronics. When tariffs hit, production costs could rise. That potential increase often carries through to the end user – making it more expensive to build and buy the machines we rely on. And for small and mid-sized companies, higher prices can mean harder decisions about whether to invest, repair or delay replacement.

So, how are we responding?
The good news is, manufacturers aren’t standing still. They’re actively working to lessen the impact through smarter design, more efficient production and sourcing alternative components where possible. Technology and innovation are helping make machines more cost efficient, even when global conditions aren’t.

At the same time, many tree care companies are holding on to equipment longer, performing more maintenance or entering the used-equipment market to get by. These are smart, tactical responses – but they also highlight the need for constant engagement.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, I encourage all TCIA members to stay informed and stay active. Pay attention to equipment trends, talk to your suppliers and factor in long-term costs – because potential price hikes aren’t limited to just new units. Replacement parts and repairs are climbing, too.

This won’t last forever. But while we’re in the thick of it, we owe it to our businesses and our crews to stay sharp, stay connected and make informed decisions.

Austin Bonnema is vice president of sales with Vermeer Mountain West in Salt Lake City, Utah, a branch of Vermeer Corporation, a 42-year TCIA member company based in Pella, Iowa. He also is vice chair of the TCIA Board of Directors.