YOUNGSTOWN - Building material distributors are feeling the effect of the Trump Administration's tariffs. Shapes Unlimited Inc. makes fencing, doors and windows out of aluminium - a raw material that's seen not one but two tariff increases in the past year.
In March, a 25% tariff was put on aluminum and in June it was raised to 50%.
More than half of Shape's Unlimited aluminum materials come from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. President and CEO Doug Rende said getting those same materials another way is limited because domestic manufacturers don't have the automated machines to keep up.
“Companies of our size can't afford to lose four, six, eight million dollars and continue to stay in business,” Rende said. “The belief is that, well tariffs are going to place the burden on the