The latest wave of tariffs under President Donald Trump is affecting a wide range of industries, including the local mattress sector in Filer, Idaho.
© Ihor Lukianenko | Dreamstime
At the Everton Mattress Factory, owner Chris Sanders says business has slowed, though he remains cautiously hopeful that tariffs will level the playing field against cheaper imported mattresses.
Sanders acknowledges that tariffs have previously shifted market conditions in their favour, stating that 'some of the overseas stuff was coming in a lot higher' than before. However, the impact is twofold. Many of the raw materials essential to mattress production, such as cotton, foam, and cooling fabrics, are sourced from China, making them subject to higher import costs.
'You just can't escape it,' said Sanders. Even domestically purchased upholstery materials often originate from China. This has led Everton Mattress to seek out local suppliers where possible, especially for foam and springs. Some springs are even manufactured in-house using locally sourced wire.
A major challenge lies in financial planning. Sanders noted the unpredictable nature of tariff adjustments: 'Nobody knew they were being raised and lowered... we just had no idea what it was going to be from day to day.'
Despite these obstacles, the factory has managed to maintain its prices so far, thanks to advanced stockpiling of raw materials and the current 90-day pause on China tariffs. Still, Sanders remains concerned. If no long-term resolution is reached, price increases may be unavoidable.
As the tariff landscape continues to shift, local manufacturers like Everton Mattress face a delicate balance between cost, supply, and competition, waiting to see whether trade policy will ultimately help or hinder their survival.
Source: www.kmvt.com