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Newsweek
03-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Consumers Prefer American-Made, But Aren't Willing to Pay
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A recent survey shows that Americans are widely in favor of purchasing products "made in America," but are less willing to stomach the cost increases that may come as a result. According to the poll conducted by IT firm Integris, 75 percent of U.S. consumers have a preference for U.S.-made goods, a rate that has been boosted thanks to the temporary disruptions in supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, 62 percent said that other factors, including quality and price, are more important in dictating their purchasing decisions. Why It Matters Reshoring American manufacturing and increasing the competitiveness of domestic industries has been a central element of President Donald Trump's economic agenda, and forms one of the rationales behind his sweeping tariff plans. The administration has maintained that the import taxes will prove an incentive for businesses to relocated their production lines to the U.S., and for American consumers to opt for domestically made products. However, given labor costs, outmoded infrastructure, and the reliance of even domestic manufacturers on imported goods, experts have said that the U.S. will ultimately fall short of achieving this dream. A General Electric washing machine with a label advertising it was made in America is displayed in retail stores in Cranberry Township, Pa. A General Electric washing machine with a label advertising it was made in America is displayed in retail stores in Cranberry Township, Pa. Keith Srakocic/AP Photo What To Know Integris gathered responses from 700 American consumers in its survey. While three quarters said they would either strongly prefer (36 percent) or somewhat prefer (39 percent) U.S.-made goods, a quarter said they would not pay more for American-made, and 92 percent said they would only be comfortable with a premium of 10 percent or less. This mimics the results of other experiments which tested the appetite of consumers for American-made goods, especially if these come at significantly higher prices. In April, when the 145 percent tariffs on Chinese imports were still in place, entrepreneur Ramon van Meer sold two identical showerheads on the website One of these was manufactured in China with a price tag of $129, while the other came from a U.S. supplier and was priced at $239. Van Meer said the price differential correlated with the costs of relying on a domestic supplier, and the experiment found that none of the over 3,500 customers who purchased the showerhead opted for the American-made version. What People Are Saying Gary Gereffi, professor of Sociology and Director of the Global Value Chains Center at Duke University, questioned the feasibility of totally reshoring American manufacturing, and the use of tariffs to accomplish this, telling Newsweek: "I have worked for many years on global supply chains (aka global value chains), and the bottom line is that virtually all products today rely on inputs from cross-border supply chains." "A few years ago, Adidas and Nike both tried to reshore the production of certain (simple) models of athletic footwear, and they failed," he added. "Adidas had to rely on an automaker in Germany to make shoe components, and within a couple of years closed its factory. Nike did the same with a Mexican factory attempting to make shoes for the U.S. market." Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management, recently told Newsweek that it would be extremely challenging to bring manufacturing back, in particular for industries such as apparel and textiles due to labor costs and the reluctance of the U.S. workforce to accept these jobs. "We will have those individuals, but the labor is just not there right now," he said. "The domestic supplier ecosystem, transportation, rail warehousing, talent development, all need to be developed. The infrastructure just isn't there in the short term." White House adviser Stephen Miller, following Trump's remark that tariffs could mean children getting "two dolls instead of 30 dolls" as a result of the tariff-related price increases, said: "If [consumers] had a a doll from China that might have, say, lead paint in it, that is not as well constructed as a doll made in America that has a higher environmental and regulatory standard, and that is made to a higher degree of quality, and those two products are both on Amazon, that, yes, you probably would be willing to pay more for a better-made American product." What Happens Next Tariffs on Chinese imports are currently at 30 percent, thanks to the 90-day pause agreed between the two countries in May, which also saw China reduce the rate for U.S. goods to 10 percent. Trump's reciprocal tariffs, meanwhile, have been brought down to a baseline 10-percent for 90 days as of April 9. On Friday, Trump said that he planned to double tariffs on steel imports to 50 percent, after announcing a "blockbuster" partnership between U.S. Steel and Japan's Nippon Steel. The president said that the move would "even further secure the steel industry in the United States. Nobody's going to get around that."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beyond the Label: Integris Report Reveals the Hidden Challenges Facing American Manufacturing
National managed IT service provider's comprehensive analysis reveals consumers' concerns, employee frustrations and strategic recommendations for US manufacturers related to outdated technology practices. CRANBURY, N.J., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from Integris, a national managed IT service provider that works with manufacturers across the country, found that while American consumers are showing renewed interest in products that are made in the USA, outdated technology is threatening to undermine that momentum. Many U.S. factories aren't ready for what's next—and that reluctance to modernize is putting competitiveness, trust, and talent at risk. Integris' 2025 U.S. Manufacturing Technology Readiness Report: Ready to Lead? uncovers just how unprepared many manufacturers are to meet the expectations of today's market when it comes to technology and security. Based on responses from 700 U.S. consumers and more than 300 U.S. manufacturing employees—from plant managers and executives to front-line factory workers—the survey shows that outdated systems are not just slowing productivity; they're costing companies credibility and long-term competitiveness. Key findings include: 75% of U.S. consumers said they have a preference for U.S-made goods—one that has increased as a result of global supply-chain disruptions since the COVID era. 62% of consumers, however, said that other factors, such as quality and price, ultimately matter more in their purchase decisions. 91% of consumers said they are concerned about cybersecurity threats to U.S. manufacturers, with 30% saying they are "very" or "extremely" concerned. 51% of manufacturing employees believe U.S. factories are falling behind global competitors in technology modernization and automation. 1 in 5 employees say they've seen colleagues leave due to outdated systems. 57% of manufacturing managers and executives cited cost as their biggest barrier to investing in IT modernization and cybersecurity. While consumers remain enthusiastic about buying American-made goods, their loyalty comes with conditions. More than 90% of consumer survey respondents said they would pay no more than 10% more for U.S.-made goods—and 25% said they wouldn't pay extra at all. To earn their business, American manufacturers must offer more than a label. They have to deliver on quality, reliability, and a modern customer experience. "We're not in the business of prescribing how manufacturers should build their products, but we hear from clients every day who are acutely aware that their technology isn't keeping pace," said Joe Fetter, Director of Sales at Integris. "This survey confirms their concerns: legacy systems are hampering output, compromising security, and impacting retention. The stakes are real—this is about staying competitive in the present moment." Many manufacturers face growing expectations to meet a range of cybersecurity and compliance standards, including: CMMC: Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification for those with DoD contracts ISO 27001: Common for manufacturing cybersecurity compliance NIST: Frequently required by supply chain partners HIPAA: For medical manufacturers handling protected health data Integris experts often see a reluctance to invest in the necessary IT for these requirements until it is absolutely necessary, and "sticker shock" when they finally confront these requirements. To read the full 2025 U.S. Manufacturing Technology Readiness Report: Ready to Lead?, visit About Integris Integris is a national, managed IT service provider that delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including managed IT, cybersecurity, consulting, cloud solutions, and more, to help small and mid-sized companies power their success through technology. Through our growing network of local service offices and gold-level partnerships with our technology vendors, we provide companies with a la carte system platform management that's responsive, secure, regulation-ready, and tailored to meet the needs of each industry vertical. Appearing regularly on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, Integris is backed by the Private Equity branch of Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS). For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Integris Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Three Questions To Ask To Get More Out Of Your IT Investment
Glenn Mathis is President and Chief Operating Officer of Integris, a national managed IT service provider. Businesses around the world are spending more on IT in 2025—a full 9.8% more than last year, according to the latest forecasts from Gartner. Yet, in my experience, too many companies are willing to invest in those new, buzz-worthy technologies, only to wonder later why they didn't move the needle for their business as they expected. It's a phenomenon so universal that Gartner has a name for it—the 'trough of disillusionment'—the period after a technology is introduced when people realize it's not as powerful as advertised. But what is the problem exactly? The technology itself? Or the business strategy you're building around it? Most technology bugs will work themselves out with enough training and tweaks. However, real failures come when you don't clearly grasp how a new technology can benefit your business. Here are some questions to consider when budgeting for new software and artificial intelligence engines. Did you know your cybersecurity compliance can be a big sales driver? Many industries now require their vendors to operate by the same cybersecurity regulations that they do. If you want to qualify for their latest request for proposal (RFP) or even get in the door, you'll need to be compliant. Specific industry verticals, like Department of Defense contractors, must comply with CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification). Companies handling health data should be compliant with the HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). If you're processing customer purchases, especially online, you're required to handle valuable credit card and payment information with data handling procedures approved by GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). The list goes on and on. So ask yourself: What IT investments would bring us opportunities to approach new customers? If we use these improved cybersecurity credentials as a selling point for new vertical markets, how will that impact the way we calculate return on our IT investments? Answer these questions correctly—your company will be safer and you can be eligible for new business opportunities you didn't even know were possible. In that case, that IT investment is money well spent. Some cybersecurity regulations are a bigger compliance lift than others. If your company is at least compliant with the Shields Up directives from the CISA, you'll find you're well on your way to being considered a reliable cybersecurity partner. It's not enough to hand your employees a shiny new tech toy, like an artificial intelligence engine, for instance. That will only earn you small, incremental gains, mainly on the individual level. If you want real change, infuse the new tech into your processes from square one. For the purpose of this argument, I'll use two common AI-enabled tools companies may try first: Copilot for Microsoft 365 and HubSpot. Let's take sales, for instance. You could put all your sales materials, product sheets and proposals into a password-enabled archive, then train Copilot on it. Then, the next time a salesperson needs to create a proposal, they can generate a finished document with approved formats and language, just by entering a simple prompt. Or you could use AI assistants in Microsoft Teams to record customer meetings, make notes and store them in an archive. Then, artificial intelligence could marry with your prospect database in HubSpot to generate thank-you notes, customized newsletters and other sales follow-up materials. (Full disclosure: My company is a Microsoft partner.) This is just one example, and new capabilities are coming online every day. Before you tell yourself you can't afford an IT investment, calculate the real time and money that new tech could be saving you. AI chatbots have become so capable that they're now the norm on many corporate websites. But going beyond this new norm to make a real impact means thinking about AI differently. For example, what if you used artificial intelligence to create custom, curated experiences for your customers? Imagine this scenario: You're a clothing retailer whose customer has just logged onto your website. Instead of just showing her the same screens everyone else sees, what if a custom shopping experience were populated based on her browsing and buying history? Custom deals are generated on the shoes that match the dress she bought, and they still have one last pair in her size. That purse she's been coveting is available in a new color. A 'personal stylist' has outfit recommendations to consider based on a style quiz she's filled out and her estimated size and measurements. If you are running a business-to-business enterprise, the same kind of thinking could be applied to transparent, responsive customer portals. Use AI to proactively identify patterns and customer needs. Imagine you're a factory equipment maker whose customer hasn't ordered a replacement part in over two years. Your portal could determine what your customer needs next, so they'll always have critical inventory before emergencies strike. By using AI for these types of hyper-personalized projects, you can attract new customers and increase upselling opportunities exponentially. They may take a more significant lift to complete, so consider working with a capable developer to help you make better use of your existing databases and find the right programs and plug-ins to make this kind of customer service possible. According to the latest predictions from Grandview Research, the size of the global digital transformation market will grow at an average yearly rate of 28.5% to $4,617,780 million by 2030. Clearly, money is in the pipeline to fuel a period of revolutionary progress. Let's make it count with the optimization, integration and training you need to succeed. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Suze Orman's Key Advice On Refinancing Your Mortgage: Don't Get Another 30-Year Loan
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Refinancing a mortgage can be an effective way to lower monthly payments or secure a better interest rate, but financial expert Suze Orman cautions against one common mistake: resetting the loan term to 30 years. On a recent episode of her "Women & Money" podcast, Orman responded to a listener's question about refinancing and explained why this approach can cost homeowners more in the long run — and how to avoid it. Don't Miss: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to . Many don't know there are tax benefits when buying a unit as an investment — During the episode, a listener named Michelle asked Orman for advice on refinancing. Michelle explained that she and her family purchased their "forever home" in May 2023 to move into a better school district. Their new mortgage came with a 6% interest rate, a significant jump from the 2.5% rate they had on their previous home. Since their new house also cost substantially more, their mortgage payment more than doubled. Despite the higher costs, Michelle and her family had planned ahead. They saved enough to stay afloat comfortably and hoped to refinance within one to two years when interest rates dropped. Michelle asked Orman whether refinancing at 5% or lower would be the right move — and if so, what factors should guide that decision. Trending: CEO of Integris gathered a team of senior investment managers who have $34.22 billion in combined owned and managed assets in the West Coast — Orman acknowledged that refinancing could be a smart move but warned Michelle — and other homeowners — to avoid a common pitfall: resetting the mortgage to a new 30-year term. She said many people make the mistake of refinancing for another 30 years. "So these four or five years that you have been paying on it – you've just lost all of that," Orman said. "So you think that you're ahead, but the truth of the matter is you're not." Instead, Orman recommends refinancing only for the number of years remaining on your current mortgage — or fewer. For example, if you have 26 years left on your mortgage, you should refinance for a 25-year term or less. By doing so, you avoid adding extra years to your mortgage and potentially paying thousands more in stressed the importance of calculating whether refinancing is financially worthwhile. She outlined these key steps: Calculate the total cost of refinancing. This includes closing costs, points (if applicable), and other fees. Determine your potential monthly savings. Subtract your new mortgage payment from your current one. Find your break-even point. Divide the total refinancing costs by your estimated monthly savings. This tells you how long it will take to recoup your costs. For instance, if refinancing costs $5,000 and your new payment would save you $200 per month, it would take 25 months to break even. If you plan to stay in the home longer than that, refinancing may be a smart choice. However, Orman cautioned that if the break-even point is five, six, or seven years — and you don't expect to live in the home that long — refinancing may not be worthwhile. For homeowners like Michelle, Orman's advice offers a clear path: Refinancing may be a smart move if it saves you money, but don't reset your mortgage term to 30 years. By refinancing only for the number of years left on your current mortgage — or fewer — you can reduce your interest costs and stay on track to pay off your home sooner. Read Next: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a ? , which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. This article Suze Orman's Key Advice On Refinancing Your Mortgage: Don't Get Another 30-Year Loan originally appeared on
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Retirement Investor With $21,600/Year In Dividends Needs $2,200 More Per Month – 'What High-Yield Stocks Will Get Me There in 3 Years?'
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Investing in dividends and balancing them with high-yield stocks is a popular strategy many investors use to grow their money and receive consistent revenue. While some investors prioritize stability and slow growth, others may seek higher yields to meet certain income targets, even if it means taking higher risks. This is also the case for an investor looking to restructure his IRA to generate $4,000 per month in dividend income. Currently, he has $150,000 allocated to income-focused ETFs, generating approximately $1,800 monthly, $21,600 per year. Don't Miss: Many don't know there are tax benefits when buying a unit as an investment — CEO of Integris gathered a team of senior investment managers who have $34.22 billion in combined owned and managed assets in the West Coast — 'I still have 75% of my IRA funds in growth-oriented ETFs. I have $150,000 in income ETFs producing $1,800/month. I would like to increase that to $4,000 to retire in 3 years although I can work an additional 2 years if necessary. I would basically use 25% of my IRA for living expenses and let the other 75% continue to grow only dipping into when necessary,' the investor said in his Reddit post. His concerns, however, involve the risk associated with high-yield investments, but he's willing to explore this option to bridge the gap between his current income and his target. The r/Dividends Reddit community has offered a mix of conservative and risky asset options. Below, we'll analyze the comments and highlight the most relevant advice. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Conservative, Diversified ETF Investments One of the most detailed and relevant pieces of advice suggests the investor balance yield with risk management. 'I'd highly recommend meeting your goals with ETFs that have primarily high total returns, then secondarily, as high of yield as possible without outsized risk. To mitigate risk, I would remove individual companies from your plan and pick ETFs that have low volatility (if possible). I would also have a hedge to your equity positions, including some form of fixed income,' he explained. Furthermore, the commenter mentioned several asset options he would invest in if he were in the poster's situation. 'Personally, for an income-producing segment of my portfolio, I'd probably have something like [Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (NYSE: DIVO)] for domestic stocks, [Invesco International Dividend Achievers ETF (NYSE: IDVO)] for international stocks, and various bond funds like [iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSE: IEF)], [iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSE: SGOV)], [Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE: BND)], [iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSE: LQD)], etc. This is below your desired yield, but it gives an idea of portfolio construction,' the Redditor Covered Call ETF Recommendations Several comments mentioned specific covered call ETFs, real estate investment trusts and securities that would, according to the Redditors who wrote them, help the investor reach his income goal. 'Consider a position in [NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (NYSE: SPYI)] and/or [Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (NYSE: QQQI)]. Both are covered call ETFs that pay 11% or more each year,' a Redditor suggested. A Reddit user advised the investor to diversify across several asset classes, including covered-call ETFs, individual dividend stocks and more. 'If you like covered call funds you could look at QQQI, SPYI, etc. Individual stocks: [Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)], [Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE)], [Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO)], [PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP)]. Throw in some [business development companies] like [Ares Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: ARCC)] and [real estate investment trusts] like [Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O)]/[Main Street Capital Corporation [NYSE: MAIN)] for diversity,' he wrote. This comment suggests other covered call ETFs with both low-yield and high yields but advised the investor to do his own research before putting his money in the game. 'These are some I would consider but do some research [JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE: JEPQ)], [Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (NYSE: XYLD)], SPYI, [Alerian MLP ETF (NYSE: AMLP)], [YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE: GPIQ)], [WisdomTree CBOE S&P 500 PutWrite Strategy Fund (NYSE: PUTW)], QQQI, [Global X MLP ETF (NYSE: MLPA)],' it says. Lower interest rates mean some investments won't yield what they did in months past, but you don't have to lose those gains. Certain private market real estate investments are giving retail investors the opportunity to capitalize on these high-yield opportunities. , which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, Looking for fractional real estate investment opportunities? The features the latest offerings. This article Retirement Investor With $21,600/Year In Dividends Needs $2,200 More Per Month – 'What High-Yield Stocks Will Get Me There in 3 Years?' originally appeared on
