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Navigating Growth: Strategy Amid Tariffs

Your sales ledger is overflowing. Purchasers previously reliant on international sources are now seeking American alternatives. Current trade dynamics, especially tariffs, have reoriented business towards domestic soil. You’re at the center of this whirlwind.

However, therein lies a conundrum: rapid growth can also lead to rapid stress.

The very elements driving the surge in demand, such as protectionist trade policies, can change swiftly. Current staffing gaps may hinder operations. And those lucrative contracts you’ve signed? Without foresighted terms, they may backfire if tariff landscapes shift radically.

Welcome to the exhilarating, yet daunting, world of hypergrowth.

Understanding the Growth Surge

Today, global pharmaceutical giants are investing robustly in U.S. infrastructures to mitigate tariff impacts. Similarly, GM’s $3.5B investment in Indiana showcases a strategic retreat from Chinese dependencies.

Effectively, operating within the U.S. has become a strategic edge. Yet, the premise remains volatile—tariffs are regulated, not guaranteed. A strategic approach is indispensable when scaling up, ensuring stability in fluctuating policy environments.

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Avoiding the Pitfalls of Hypergrowth

  • Volatile Regulations: Today, you may be pivoting due to current tariffs; tomorrow could see rollbacks. Investing without strategic safeguards could lead to stranded resources (effects on supply chains).

  • Recruitment Challenges: The urgency for skilled machinists, engineers, and welders is acutely felt. Hastened hiring can lead to compliance issues and disrupt workplace culture.

  • Supply Chain Surprises: Managing supply chains involves navigating tariffs, suppliers, and customs intricacies. Missing components can delay key client deliverables (reshaping strategies).

  • Protective Contracts: Ensure your agreements include clauses for legal and tariff changes to safeguard business margins (strategic contract insights).

Without prudent risk management, growth is nothing more than a precarious opportunity.

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Strategic Moves of Leading Manufacturers

Proactive manufacturers are embedding resilience into their core operations.

  • They expand supplier networks domestically and through “friendshoring” to protect against tariff maneuvers (friendshoring guide).

  • They engage in scenario planning to prepare for potential tariff adjustments and other market shifts.

  • They utilize automation technologies to enhance productivity without disproportionate payroll expansions, akin to Keen’s automation practices.

  • They reinforce contract structures to mitigate risks from sudden tariff or policy changes.

  • They maintain robust cash flow by leveraging supply chain finance, protecting liquidity during margin squeezes (explore solutions).

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Real-world Successes

  • Auburn Manufacturing significantly increased its market share by capitalizing on domestic supply chain resilience (read more).

  • MP Materials enhanced its strategic positioning by investing in Texas facilities and securing substantial support from Apple with an eye on economic fluctuations (learn more).

These narratives serve as blueprints for resiliency and adaptability.

Strategizing Growth Wisely

  1. Deliberate Planning: Anticipate various tariff scenarios before embarking on growth plans.

  2. Considerate Hiring: Balance hiring with the company's cultural values and swiftly enhance skillsets internally.

  3. Effective Automation: Implement automated solutions to address labor market challenges.

  4. Adaptive Agreements: Tailor contracts with provisions for legal shifts to ensure flexibility.

  5. Maintain Financial Robustness: Align liquidity with growth trajectory to manage cash flow demands effectively.

Strategic Growth Over Reckless Expansion

The impetus from tariffs should indeed propel you forward. Yet, foresight and strategic planning will define the extent of your success. The ultimate victors won’t be those who merely expand briskly—they will be those who advance wisely.

Connect with us today to craft a strategic growth framework and harness opportunities amidst the evolving trade landscape.

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