Tariffs Hit Small Business Hard: East Chicago Company Faces 25% Price Hike

Tariffs Squeeze Small Business: East Chicago Company Feels the Pinch East Chicago, Indiana – Michael Uremovich, president of Manhattan Mechanical Services, is feeling the pressure of rising costs due to tariffs. His company, which has operated for 15 years, is experiencing a 25% increase in the price of piping compared to last year. "Because of the tariffs, it's up about 25% from where it was a year ago," Uremovich stated in a recent CNN interview. This increase is impacting his ability to bid on jobs and maintain profitability. The situation highlights the broader challenges faced by small businesses navigating fluctuating global markets and the ripple effects of trade policies. Andrew Williams, logistics manager at Manhattan Mechanical Services, adds another layer to the story. He describes how a recent job's pricing changed drastically within just four hours of submitting their proposal, illustrating the volatile nature of the current market. "They were trying to say the pricing changed, not the availability, in four hours." This underscores the uncertainty faced by companies relying on international supply chains. Despite the challenges, Uremovich remains optimistic. He believes the current difficulties are short-term and that the economy will eventually recover. His perspective offers a glimmer of hope amidst the immediate economic pressures faced by his business and others like it.