The ongoing tariff disputes in 2025 are shaking up the facility maintenance industry, affecting material costs, supply chains, and operational budgets. With rising prices for essential materials like steel, aluminum, and electrical components, facility managers must stay informed and proactive to minimize disruptions.
At Hero Facility Services, we help businesses navigate these economic shifts by providing vendor management solutions, cost-effective maintenance strategies, and proactive planning to ensure smooth operations. Because we have strong relationships with our vetted vendor network and direct connections with suppliers, we can help facility managers source materials efficiently, reduce costs, and minimize delays caused by supply chain disruptions.
Rising Costs of Essential Materials
The facility maintenance industry relies heavily on imported steel, aluminum, and other key materials—all of which are subject to fluctuating tariffs.
As of March 2025, the U.S. government has adjusted tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, impacting industries that depend on these materials, including construction, HVAC, and electrical trades.
While these tariffs are intended to boost domestic production, they also increase costs for businesses that rely on imported facility maintenance materials. These costs may continue to shift based on future policy changes, so facility managers should monitor updates closely.
How Supply Chain Disruptions Are Making Things Worse
Tariff fluctuations aren’t the only concern—they coincide with ongoing supply chain disruptions, leading to longer lead times, procurement delays, and price hikes.
These supply chain challenges, when combined with tariff-driven price increases, make it more critical than ever for facility managers to adopt proactive strategies to keep costs under control.
Proactive Strategies for Facility Managers
To reduce risks associated with tariffs and supply chain instability, facility managers should consider:
Diversifying Suppliers
Work with multiple vendors to reduce reliance on a single tariff-affected source.
Strategic Inventory Planning
Stockpile essential materials when prices are stable to avoid paying peak tariff rates.
Use predictive maintenance tools to anticipate replacement needs before prices spike.
Contract Flexibility
Review supplier contracts to include flexible pricing structures that account for tariff fluctuations.
Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Invest in energy-efficient HVAC and LED lighting systems that qualify for government tax incentives, offsetting higher equipment costs due to tariffs.
Sources
AP News. (March 11, 2025). US Factories Likely to Feel the Pain from Trump's Steel and Aluminum Tariffs.
Reuters. (March 11, 2025). Trump's Expanded Metals Tariffs to Hit Goods from Horseshoes to Bulldozer Blades.
Reuters. (March 11, 2025). Trump's Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum to Raise Costs for US Energy Firms, Experts Say.
Deloitte. (February 2025). Global Supply Chain Resilience Amid Disruptions.
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