In May, we posted an article about how tariffs on goods that we buy from US companies (with components made in or sourced from China) would be going into effect in September. We are receiving notices from our vendors that starting September 1, we will be seeing price increases as high as 25% on materials and components that are made in China.

Is there any good news?

If there’s any good news, it’s that not everything you buy should be affected. Our U.S. vendors are continuing to monitor the impact of these tariffs and are working hard to minimize any impact on their customers.

We will be reaching out to customers who regularly purchase items that will be affected by these tariffs.

Want to learn more about Southco’s list of 100,000 UL Certified Products? CLICK HERE to download their brochure with all the information you’ll need.

 

New Mini Cam Latch Designed For Limited Space Applications Compact size for minimal enclosure intrusion Meets NEMA 4 and IP65 standards for water and dust ingress Universal operation accommodates different mounting configurations Tool operated and manual actuation options for varying levels of security

NEW MINI E5 CAM LATCH FROM SOUTHCO Learn More ▸

It’s coming:  The Department of Finance Canada has issued its notice of intent to impose countermeasures in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum products.

On June 1, 2018, the Department of Finance Canada issued a list of countermeasure tariffs which will take effect on July 1, 2018.  These countermeasures targeted a wide range of products which include (obviously) steel and aluminum but also include stainless steel, food products (stock up on ketchup), paper and wood products, household goods, and some types of appliances.

Where the new tariffs affect us (and our customers) is in the area of adhesives in small package sizes:

"HS Code 3506.10.xx.xx:  Products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale as glues or adhesives, not exceeding a weight of 1 kg."

Certain adhesive products which we currently supply in 400ml tubes (or smaller) are now subject to an additional tariff upon import into Canada as of July 1, 2018.  As of now, this category of products is subject to a 10% tariff.  Larger package quantities (1kg or larger) are not subject to this tariff.

We are reaching out to those customers we know will be affected by this change, and will work with them to minimize the impact of these new tariffs.

You can see the text issued by the Department of Canada Finance by clicking here.  

Recently, the US government imposed heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the US, and we’re seeing the impact of these tariffs on some of our products.  Our Continuous Hinge suppliers have already increased prices on certain hinges by as much as 16%, and it’s possible that other suppliers we work with are facing similar cost increases. As of the date of this post, only Continuous Hinge products are affected.  However, as the effects of these tariffs begin to ripple through the US manufacturing sector, it’s possible that some of our other suppliers could also be affected in the coming months. We appreciate your business!  If you’re concerned about pricing in the future, there are strategies you can use to reduce (or remove) the short-term impact of price increases like these.  We’re happy to discuss these options with you.  Call us or reach out using our Contact Form and we’ll set up a time to talk!

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New Product Announcement New Corrosion-Resistant, Two-Stage Rotary Latch Eliminates False Latching Conditions Southco’s R4-30 Two-Stage Rotary Latch is constructed of high-strength, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, making these latches an ideal choice for enclosure applications exposed to demanding environments. The R4-30 series features a two-stage design that prevents false latching conditions in enclosure applications, and provides concealed latching for increased security and industrial design. High-strength, corrosion-resistant construction withstands the elements Two-stage rotor design prevents false latching Provides concealed latching with push-to-close convenience Allows remote actuation when paired with Southco cables and actuators VIEW DETAILS » Southco’s Rotary Latching Solutions Design Your Rotary Latch System In Three Easy Steps  Southco’s Rotary Latch System Guide provides all the information you need to choose the appropriate Rotary Latch, Actuator and Cable for remote access enclosure applications.  Get your FREE Rotary Latch System Guide Now » © 2018 Southco, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

Accuride started out designing slides for the industrial and electromechanical market and has grown to become a global expert in the design, manufacture, and integration of movement solutions. This has earned Accuride products a reputation for quality and reliability. Their staff takes pride in guiding customers to the most effective and practical solution.

Accuride products are used to provide movement, positioning, and access in a vast range of applications across a broad spectrum of industries, including:

• Automotive and transportation
• Enclosures for data storage and communications
• Mobile and static equipment and supply storage
• Machinery and manufacturing
• Emergency and utility vehicles
• Industrial equipment and storage units
• Medical equipment

Tried & True Performance

Our stringent testing procedures reflect the real-world conditions and include extensive cycle testing, salt spray and moisture exposure, slamming, vibration, and more to ensure continued dynamic performance under demanding conditions.

Special Attributes

We offer a large selection of slides with technology and features specifically designed to enhance industrial applications such as:

• Weather-resistant and corrosion resistant finishes
• Two-way travel for access from both sides of an installation
• Lock-in & lock-out to secure slides in the open and closed positions
• Soft close, self-closing, and touch release features
• Corrosion resistant aluminum or stainless steel slides
• Mounting options such as brackets or bayonet/pocket systems

Click here for more information about the features and components of Accuride slides.

If you’re looking for heavy-duty slides for industrial plant equipment or slides with compact cross sections to maximize space efficiency, Accuride can provide you with the ultimate solution.

Choices Galore

Although best known for ball bearing drawer slides, explore our Product Catalog to find out more about Accuride’s specialty solutions such as our linear motion slides and innovative electronic locking products.

New Product Announcement New Integrated Electronic Locking Swinghandle Supports Proximity Card and Smart Card Credentials Southco’s new H3-EM 65 Series Electronic Locking Swinghandle provides an integrated HID SE® smart card reader. This fully integrated intelligent lock supports multiple RFID readers, providing a higher level of security and facilitating the transition to new security technologies used to manage access to keyless entry points at the equipment level. Reads HID 125 kHz prox, 13.56 MHz iCLASS® and MIFARE® smart card credentials Easy integration with standard rack monitoring and security systems Integrated LED indicators for lock and reader status monitoring Fits industry standard panel preps for easy installation VIEW DETAILS » Check Out Our Blog! Have access hardware challenges?Want design application solutions? Do you have questions about Southco’s electronic latching solutions? Use our handy Contact Form to reach us! Be the first to hear about Southco’s new products, innovative application solutions and access hardware design tips from our experts. Comments and feedback are always welcome, so what are you waiting for? Join us on the Southco blog now » Home | Products | Privacy & Security © 2016 Southco, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

So you have a great new idea and you’re still working out the details. Maybe you’re still in the “brainstorming” stage or the “drawing on a napkin” stage.  If your design incorporates things like latches, locks, drawer slides, gasketing, or any component you won’t be fabricating yourself,  you’ll want to consider those components early in the design process and not at the very end.

One of the common pitfalls in designing products is overlooking these seemingly little things.  If this happens, the designer is often left looking for what we call the “Houdini Latch”*.  The Houdini Latch is one that’s never been made, or perhaps functions in a way that no latch* is designed to function and is simply not available.  It doesn’t exist. What generally happens next is that the designer is forced to do one of two things:  design a completely new latch, which is time-consuming and costly or make significant changes to the design of their product, which is also (you guessed it) time-consuming and costly.

What’s the answer?  Identify the hardware components you’ll need early in the design process.  You’ll have the specifications and design requirements early, so you can adapt your product to make them work.  Even if you have to adjust your original design, it’s easier to do it now than to make significant changes later.  Don’t worry if there are no off-the-shelf products that fit perfectly.  Hopefully, there’s time to work with your supplier or parts distributor to come up with a custom solution.  Again, it’s better to do this early on, especially if you’ll have to consider longer lead times.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE.

Even if you’re a little beyond the “drawing on a napkin” stage, we can still offer you practical advice and world-class solutions that will work for you.  Call us today or use our handy Contact Form to reach us!

*..or hinge, or fastener, or drawer slide, or lock, or whatever.