And What SMBs Can Do to Regain Control and Stay Competitive
If you do a lot of importing for your business, you already know 2025 has been rough.
U.S. trade policy has become more unpredictable. Tariffs are always in the news. Tensions with China and the fallout from supply chain realignment post-pandemic have only added fuel to the fire.
Unfortunately, the ones feeling the heat first and hardest are small-to-medium businesses—especially in industrial supply and equipment distribution. Margins are getting tighter. Lead times are stretching. Freight costs are creeping up. And worst of all, your hands feel tied when it comes to doing something about it.
Although you can’t control global trade policies or how tariffs affect imports, you can control how your business responds. The right ERP system gives you visibility, speed, and flexibility—so you’re not stuck reacting late to price hikes or shortages.
Does Your Business Rely On Imports? 2025 Just Got More Expensive
The U.S. reinstated and expanded a number of tariffs in early 2025, particularly targeting imported steel, aluminum, machinery components, and electronic parts. That’s bad news if you’re sourcing from Asia, Europe, or Latin America. Just for example…
- De Minimis Termination: On April 2, 2025, the U.S. government announced the termination of the “de minimis” trade exemption for low-value shipments from China, effective May 2, 2025. Previously, this exemption allowed packages valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free, facilitating a surge in e-commerce imports. With the exemption revoked, all goods from these regions, regardless of value, are now subject to tariffs.
- Steel and Aluminum Tariffs: As of March 12, 2025, a 25% tariff applies to all steel and aluminum imports, affecting a wide range of industrial components.
- Automotive Tariffs: Starting April 3, 2025, a 25% tariff on imported cars and auto parts has been implemented, impacting both foreign manufacturers and U.S. automakers with international supply chains.
These policies and others have introduced volatility into the market, cutting into margins unpredictably and costing you sales.
ERP Systems Help SMBs Regain Control Amid Tariff Uncertainty
In this unpredictable environment, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are vital tools for SMBs aiming to regain control over their operations.
The key benefits of ERP systems include:
- Real-Time Cost Analysis: ERP systems provide up-to-date insights into product costs, including tariffs, enabling informed pricing decisions.
- Enhanced Inventory Management: With accurate tracking, businesses can optimize stock levels, reducing overstock and stockouts.
- Supplier Management: ERP platforms facilitate the evaluation and onboarding of new suppliers, ensuring supply chain resilience.
- Regulatory Compliance: Automated compliance features help businesses navigate complex trade regulations, minimizing the risk of penalties.
By integrating these features, ERP systems empower SMBs to respond swiftly to market changes, maintaining operational stability no matter how tariffs affect their imports.
Resilience Isn’t Optional—It’s a Competitive Advantage
This isn’t the last time tariffs or trade policy will affect your business. If this year has taught SMBs anything, it’s that resilience has to be built into your systems.
If you’re relying on manual processes or disconnected tools, you’re operating at a disadvantage. Not because you’re doing anything wrong—but because your systems aren’t designed to flex when the market moves.
Your competitors who have modern ERP systems are adapting faster. They’re re-routing supply, adjusting prices dynamically, and finding margin-saving efficiencies before the quarter ends.
If you’re tired of feeling like trade policy is running your business, it’s time to act.
AcctVantage ERP was built for companies like yours. We help SMBs in the industrial supply industry streamline operations, gain control, and keep growing—even when the playing field keeps shifting.
To find out how AcctVantage ERP can support your ongoing business growth and success, click here to get in touch with us.
