credit:js
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, which has created big challenges for local manufacturers. One company affected by this is Nova Craft Canoes, based in London, Ontario. Steve Procunier, the sales director at Nova Craft, shared his thoughts about the situation in a conversation with Xfm reporter.
Steve explained, “In the last month, we’ve been working late at night to put together canoes and ship them to the U.S. We’ve sent three or four large shipments in the last 30 days to get them there before the tariffs hit. Our last truck left on Monday, and we were still making canoes at 6:30 that evening, loading them up to cross the border by 9:30.”
Despite the difficulties, Steve is hopeful. “About 20% of our business is in the U.S. We have many dealers there who still want our canoes. We’ve been making them in London for 55 years, and we have a good reputation. We need to come up with a plan to deal with the tariffs, but we’re optimistic.
Credit:js
Steve also mentioned the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs. “Right now, it feels like a gamble for everyone. Nobody knows what will happen next. We’re hoping this will be over in 30 days. We’ve faced challenges before, and we’re trying to get through this one, but it was unexpected.”
When asked if the government has helped, Steve said, “Yes, the government has been very supportive. We’ve had many Zoom meetings with them about the tariffs and how to move forward. It’s still new territory for many people, but we’re figuring it out.”
Looking ahead, Steve believes Canadian manufacturers will need to be more careful. “These tariffs could change again next week, and we don’t know what to expect. However, we still have loyal customers in the U.S. who want our products. Some key dealers are disappointed about the tariffs, but we’ll do our best to get through this.”
Regarding rising prices, Steve said, “We hope to keep our prices steady for now, but the supply chain could change quickly. We have a good amount of supplies in stock, but that could change. For example, the cost of gel coats might go up since most of the resin comes from Texas.”
PixelsAway / Depositphotos.com
Finally, when asked how the trade dispute could be resolved, Steve expressed uncertainty. “I don’t know the answer. It seems to be about one main issue, but there are more factors now. Our government is trying to talk to them to find a solution. As of today, I’m not sure if it’s resolved yet, but I know our Prime Minister was speaking with President Trump.”
In summary, while the tariffs are creating challenges for Nova Craft Canoes and other Canadian manufacturers, the determination and hard work of businesses like Steve’s give hope for overcoming these difficulties. Staying informed and proactive will be essential as they navigate this changing landscape.
