Tales of the Tariffs - Copper Instincts

Editor's note:  This 'Tale' was submitted by Joe Heaney, CEO of Council of Industry Associate Member Walden Environmental Engineering.

Copper Instincts - Furniture Manufacturer

I recently was on a Horseback ride in Arizona and riding with a friend of mine, Fred Snyder, who owns the Furniture manufacturer Copper Instincts located in Patzcuaro Michoacan Mexico who manufactures high end copper topped furniture. Fred product line is wholly imported in to the US and sold a niche furniture stores throughout the US. He has been in business since 1996.

Early this month Fred told me that since 15 January he has not received a single order from his customer base. He has some old items that he has been holding out shipping to the US with hope of filling a tractor trailer -- this is planned for May 15 but is only 2/3 load - normally he ships three times per month full loads and he has not shipped since January.  He says his customers are on hold awaiting pricing which at this point can not be estimated.

Fred is 68 years old and says he is looking to retire.  He may have to shut down the business he runs with his wife and which employees 45-60 depending on how busy he is - if the uncertainly of the tariffs continues.

He says many of the local manufactures in his area are in the same state of uncertainty - business worse variable - uncertainty which remains in place today.