A handful of small US companies are benefiting from President Trump's aggressive tariff policies. Most businesses are grappling with higher costs and scrambling to find new suppliers in the wake of Trump's wide-reaching tariffs on imports. But a metals producer in Pennsylvania has seen a 35 percent sales boost in the first quarter of the year. Meanwhile, an advertising and marketing firm in Missouri has reported an even larger 40 percent bump in revenue. Ellwood Group, which makes forged steel, nickel and aluminum products, has seen orders surge as large construction projects look for alternatives to previously cheaper Asian steel. Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports in March. 'Customers want to get ahead of the tariffs,' David Barensfeld, chairman of Ellwood, told the Wall Street Journal . 'They are diversifying, reshoring because they want to derisk foreign supply chains.' Ellwood Group has seen a 35 percent sales boost in the first quarter of the year. The uptick in demand has led the company to add 50 more workers to its staff of 2,000 — with plans to hire another 50 soon. Ellwood is also forecasting higher profit-sharing payouts for current employees. The chaos of Trump's initial announcements sent the stock market plunging and businesses reeling. Big Time Advertising & Marketing in St Louis, Missouri is another business that has seen an unexpected boost from the tariffs. The agency, which specializes in work for new and used car dealers, has seen its revenue jump 40 percent this year. Its clients are asking the agency to make campaigns that appeal to buyers spooked by tariffs and the overall economic uncertainty. 'Our phones are already ringing off the hook. "How much should I spend? How should I change my messaging?"' the agency's CEO Terry MacCauley told the Journal.
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