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    Distributors/Service Centers

    August 30, 2018

    Playing Field Not "Fair and Level" for All, Say Small Manufacturers

    Written by Sandy Williams

    Tariffs are harming, and sometimes causing devastating effects, for small manufacturing businesses, said speakers at the 2018 SMU Steel Summit held in Atlanta this week. An informal survey of 486 people at the summit showed almost half (49 percent versus 43 percent) of those polled felt the Section 232 tariffs were having a negative impact on their business. Two speakers, in particular, spoke on the challenges of doing business amid trade wars, tariffs and surging steel prices.

    “The politics of this industry is like dealing with a Third World country during a war on terrorism—unpredictable and always exciting,” said panelist Chris Shipp, vice president of sales at Priefert Steel and a Navy veteran. Priefert is both a manufacturer and a steel distributor. The Texas company is a farm, ranch and rodeo equipment manufacturer, as well as a steel processor and distributor.

    Sandy Williams

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