With American president Donald Trump threatening Canada with a suite of tariffs in March, Arborg’s Home Hardware Building Centre has embarked on an aggressive strategy to try to stabilize prices and have as much stock as possible for its customers should the president make good on his tariff threats.
Trump said he’d impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian products entering the States and 10 per cent on energy, starting around March 4. Last week he announced another 25 per cent on steel and aluminum from all counties including Canada, which is slated to start March 12. That would, in effect, stack tariffs on top of tariffs, resulting in a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum. The “stacked” tariff plan was confirmed last week by the White House.
The steel and aluminum tariff announced by Trump, who’s known for making sudden and erratic decisions that create uncertainly and instability, sent shockwaves through the Canadian industry and saw reports of U.S. companies cancelling orders and Canadian distributors halting shipments to the U.S. Trump imposed a tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018 during his first run as president.
Arborg Home Hardware dealer-owner Ray Reimer, who runs his store with partner Stan Loewen, said he had been in contact with the store’s steel cladding supplier in anticipation of the potential American tariffs so that they can maintain reasonable prices for as long as possible through what may be temporary but tumultuous times.
“In regards to steel and aluminum tariffs, we feel at least for the time being we are well prepared,” said Reimer. “We have purchased a larger volume of aluminum products for the coming year to carry us through any price surges that may happen. We need this strategy to stay as aggressive as we can for our customers.”
The Arborg store supports Canadian steel manufacturers who supply made-in-Canada steel for products such as metal roofing, panels, railings and other materials.
“On the steel side, we support Canadian companies that produce their product in Canada, not North American products that are advertised by others,” said Reimer. “Our Canadian manufacturers supply steel that is produced in Canada by Canadians from raw and recycled materials. These materials are being used to manufacture metal roofing and siding panels for our customers’ agriculture, commercial and residential building needs. We are proud Canadians that support our Canadian workers who produce the steel, paint the steel and form it into various configurations all in Canada.”
Arborg Home Hardware Building Centre is part of Home Hardware Stores Ltd., a 100 per cent Canadian-owned company with retailer-owners across Canada. The Arborg home improvement store has experience in serving the unique needs of Arborg, surrounding communities and other customers in their home and cottage needs. The store carries a wide range of products, including building materials (e.g., lumber, drywall, insulation, railings), hardware supplies, electrical and heating/cooling supplies, appliances, outdoor power equipment and farming supplies. In addition to its products, the store offers a number of services such as screen repair, key cutting and home and cottage design.
The store is highlighting made-in-Canada products and product-of-Canada items in-store to help customers make informed decisions about where products come from and to enable them to support Canadian businesses and Canada’s economy, which could be seriously impacted by American tariffs.
“As a locally owned and operated store, we are proud to serve our community with the products they need for both their homes and businesses,” said Reimer. “We understand the importance of highlighting our made-in-Canada and product-of-Canada items, and we are adding signage and labeling in-store to help our customers easier identify these products. This includes our BeautiTone Paint brand, which has always been made in Canada (with domestic and import materials) in Burford, Ontario.”
The Aborg store is reminding its customers that as a locally owned and operated Canadian business, it’s “embedded” in the community, he added.
“We take pride in not only living and working here, but also in doing our part to give back. Our marketing tagline, “Locally Owned, Genuinely Canadian,” reinforces this commitment and emphasizes the importance of shopping local,” said Reimer.
