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Navigating Tariffs Together

YYCHM

YYCHM

(Craig)
Premium Member
Dear Valued Client,

At KBC Tools & Machinery, we know that the current tariff situation is creating challenges for businesses across Canada, especially in manufacturing. That’s why we’re working hard to diminish the impact on you by sourcing alternative suppliers, increasing stock on tariff-free items, and bringing inventory directly from the source.

As always, we offer Good, Better, and Best options in most major product lines, so you can make the right choice for your machining needs and budget—especially important when every dollar counts. Plus, with our massive inventory from around the world and Made in Canada products, we’re here to keep you stocked and running smoothly.

With three fully stocked Canadian branches in Mississauga, ON, Oldcastle, ON, and Delta, BC, we’re proud to provide stock in Canada, sold in Canada, by people working in Canada.

These are uncertain times, but one thing remains certain: with determination and ingenuity, we will get through this together.

Thank you for your continued business—we’re here to support you!

Team KBC
KBC Tools & Machinery ULC – a Canadian Corporation
 
Lucky7 said:
I’’ve been a happy customer of KBC for over 30 years, but don’t think it’s quite accurate to call KBC Canadian. There are subsidiary branches in Canada, but according to KBC’s own website, it is a US company headquartered in Sterling Heights Michigan with three branches in Canada.
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Hell they've gor orange juice in the grocery stores marked as a Canadian product.
 
Lucky7 said:
I’’ve been a happy customer of KBC for over 30 years, but don’t think it’s quite accurate to call KBC Canadian. There are subsidiary branches in Canada, but according to KBC’s own website, it is a US company headquartered in Sterling Heights Michigan with three branches in Canada.
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Canadian employees, they pay taxes in Canada, Canadian shipping services, so while ownership is US there are benefits to Canada to shop there. And lots of non-us made goods which might now not go through the US to Canada. Once that gets set up, it is once again US employees of KBC, suppliers and trucking companies that loses out.
 
Lucky7 said:
I’’ve been a happy customer of KBC for over 30 years, but don’t think it’s quite accurate to call KBC Canadian. There are subsidiary branches in Canada, but according to KBC’s own website, it is a US company headquartered in Sterling Heights Michigan with three branches in Canada.
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I remember when the current president of KBC came to Canada to open their first store in OldCastle near Windsor. Her dad was president then. She worked hard to make their Canadian stores a success. Seems like a million years ago now. They were very good to me and to the local businesses and so were their employees. They employ Canadians, buy globally, and pay taxes here.

I was pleased to see that letter and I wish more businesses took that approach.

I just wish their shipping policy was better for all us little guys.
 
Not to burst any bubbles, but received this in today’s emails;

IMG_9383.jpeg

Looks like they sent similar messages to both countries.

Have not yet received any messages from other suppliers. I did spend part of the afternoon at the PMCA (Professional Manufacturing Confectioners Association) Vendor Exhibition: as most confectionary equipment is manufactured outside the U.S., the companies that I have worked with over the past 49+ years are worried/upset/confused/etc. Not to mention that with the exception of a small percentage grown in Hawaii, cocoa comes from outside the U.S., too.
 
Susquatch said:
I remember when the current president of KBC came to Canada to open their first store in OldCastle near Windsor. Her dad was president then. She worked hard to make their Canadian stores a success. Seems like a million years ago now. They were very good to me and to the local businesses and so were their employees. They employ Canadians, buy globally, and pay taxes here.

I was pleased to see that letter and I wish more businesses took that approach.

I just wish their shipping policy was better for all us little guys.
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I thought that they were doing flat rate boxes in Canada...
 
I had to order a 1-11/16” extra length drill a couple weeks ago. Arrived next day. Made in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Great to deal with. Like Gerrit said they employe Canadians who pay taxes. The US A drill was $1700 dollars. The Bosnian drill was $318. With similar quality. I don’t mind supporting Bosnia. Canada did a lot of humanitarian aid there.
Martin
 
At the grocery store today, buying frozen french fries. Fries from USA (boo), Canada, and Belgium. Belgium? We need to import cut up potatoes from Belgium? New Brunswick and PEI potatoes can’t compete with Belgian spuds?

Frozen Pacific shrimp from India and Viet Nam? When there are fish packing plants within walking distance of my home?

Maybe the bright side of tariffs is we might become more aware of how our dollars are leaving Canada to buy products that should be bought locally.
 
whydontu said:
Maybe the bright side of tariffs is we might become more aware of how our dollars are leaving Canada to buy products that should be bought locally.
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But it goes both ways. The USA has a much larger market for us to sell to. Our products/agriculture/manufacturing travels hundreds of miles to get to the buyer

Without skirting the no politics, I need to research why the free trade agreement hurt our manufacturing

I can buy USA made chain, I can buy Norwegian chain, I still own Canadian made chain hooks, I can't source a North American strap

and I'm probably in jail for politics :p
 
Susquatch said:
Where did you see that David? I looked around their site and couldn't find anything about that. I tried ordering a few things I've been wanting and shipping was still very high.
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High shipping costs are why I bought two of each of these last year:

20240617 KBC.jpeg

$16 shipping was easier to swallow on $86 than $43 (and for some reason less than what FOMOGO was quoted), particularly when these would fit in a small padded envolope (which I think is how they shipped). However, they do have access to some rather unique items (like the above), and if you call them they will search their various locations to find an item.
 
whydontu said:
At the grocery store today, buying frozen french fries. Fries from USA (boo), Canada, and Belgium. Belgium? We need to import cut up potatoes from Belgium? New Brunswick and PEI potatoes can’t compete with Belgian spuds?

Frozen Pacific shrimp from India and Viet Nam? When there are fish packing plants within walking distance of my home?

Maybe the bright side of tariffs is we might become more aware of how our dollars are leaving Canada to buy products that should be bought locally.
Click to expand...
Shrimp taste very different depending on where they are caught. North sea shrimp (which I can't get here) are very small but extremely tasty on bread. (A childhood memory growing up in Amsterdam with my grandmother getting them fresh down the street.). North Atlantic shrimp are a second choice, again different from Pacific. Cold water makes the difference.
Belgium makes the best fries, probably potatoes from Holland :-) Some potatoes are better suited than others. I do try to buy potatoes from PEI, Visser has a good farm there (not related).

At least we have choices, and we are more aware as a result of the 'stuff' going on. A good thing.
 
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