How Tariffs Are Changing the Way U.S. Factories Buy Drives and PLCs

Introduction

At Industrial Automation Co., we understand the challenges you face as tariffs reshape the U.S. manufacturing landscape in 2025. With a baseline 10% duty on most imports and rates soaring to 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods—plus up to 145% on Chinese components—procuring drives and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) has become more complex. This blog is your guide to navigating these changes, ensuring your operations stay efficient and your machines keep running with the right automation solutions, delivered exactly when you need them.

The Tariff Impact on Your Operations

Tariffs are driving up costs for the drives and PLCs you rely on, many sourced from tariff-heavy regions like China. A typical drive might now cost an extra $200-$300 due to duties, impacting your budget for maintaining legacy systems or upgrading to new models. At Industrial Automation Co., we’re seeing customers like you weigh the cost of repairing older units against investing in new, tariff-affected inventory. Our team is here to help you analyze these options, ensuring you get the best value without compromising performance.

Smarter Sourcing Strategies

To combat tariff pressures, we’re supporting you with smarter sourcing options. Reshoring to U.S. facilities or nearshoring to Mexico can reduce duty impacts, though it requires careful planning. We’re also expanding our network to include tariff-exempt suppliers in Europe and India, offering brands like LS Electric and WEG alongside trusted names like Allen-Bradley and Siemens. Our experts can guide you through adapting to new vendors, minimizing disruptions while keeping your supply chain robust.

Balancing Cost and Innovation

Rising costs might tempt you to delay upgrades, but at Industrial Automation Co., we see this as a chance to innovate. Modular PLCs and smart drives offer flexibility to adapt to supply shifts, and we’re stocking these solutions to keep your production lines moving. For SMEs, we provide cost-effective packages, while larger operations can leverage our predictive maintenance tools—using PLC data to cut downtime. Let us help you turn tariff challenges into opportunities for efficiency.

Empowering Your Workforce

Tariffs are also affecting your team. As you adjust supply chains, we’re partnering with technical schools to train your technicians on legacy drives and new PLC systems. We offer on-site support and workshops to upskill your staff, ensuring they’re ready to handle tariff-driven changes. Plus, our inventory management advice helps you stockpile critical parts before price hikes, keeping your operations agile.

Building a Resilient Future

The long-term vision at Industrial Automation Co. is a stronger U.S. manufacturing base. By prioritizing local production, we’re aligning with your need for security and reliability. Industry 4.0 technologies—IoT-enabled PLCs and AI-driven drives—are becoming more accessible, offsetting costs with smarter operations. We’re committed to helping you integrate these advancements, ensuring your factory thrives amid trade shifts.

Sustainability Meets Reliability

Tariffs are pushing us toward sustainability, and we’re leading the way. Reshoring reduces shipping emissions, while our energy-efficient drives and PLCs meet new environmental standards. Whether you’re in pharmaceuticals or food processing, we offer eco-friendly solutions that save costs and align with your green goals. Contact us to explore how these upgrades can benefit your facility.

Actionable Steps for You

• Assess Your Needs: Schedule a free consultation with our team to review your drive and PLC inventory.
• Explore Options: Request a quote for tariff-exempt or U.S.-made components.
• Stay Informed: Join our newsletter for the latest tariff updates and solutions.

Conclusion

Tariffs are reshaping how you buy drives and PLCs, but at Industrial Automation Co., we’re your partner in navigating this change. From smarter sourcing to innovative technologies and workforce support, we’re delivering the automation solutions you need, when you need them. Let’s build a resilient, efficient future together—reach out today to get started.