Osceola Iowa’s Miller Products Company has weathered many economic storms in its more than 85-year history. In recent years, as tariffs on steel and imported materials have roiled domestic manufacturing, Miller has distinguished itself not just by surviving, but by doing so in a way that protects its customers. One of its key strategies: sourcing critical materials through American suppliers.
Tariffs on steel and aluminum have been increasingly volatile. Earlier in 2025, U.S. steel import tariffs under Section 232 were raised, with several announcements that doubled steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50%.
These actions pushed up input prices for many manufacturers. U.S. steel futures rose nearly 14% in the first half of June 2025, following these tariff hikes. In the mid-west, hot-rolled coil steel prices jumped approximately 12% over a two-week span ahead of some tariff policy implementation. The Boston Consulting Group estimates that the cost to U.S. importers for steel and aluminum products would rise by over $50 billion per year because of the increased tariffs.
These kinds of shifts make it very difficult for companies to maintain stable costing, especially in industries dependent on imported raw materials or foreign-steel suppliers.
Miller Products’ Strategy & Advantage
Against that backdrop, Miller Products has taken steps that have helped buffer both the company and its customers from the worst of the volatility:
- By sourcing steel and raw material inputs domestically, Miller reduces exposure to changing import duties, currency fluctuations, and long shipping delays.
- The company’s manufacturing model (single spindle/CNC, multi-spindle screw machined parts, and a broad line of stock pins and fasteners) gives it flexibility to respond quickly when certain material lines are under stress.
- Perhaps most importantly for customers: despite the rising cost pressures in the broader steel market, Miller has held its catalog pricing with minimal adjustments.
For customers buying stock non-threaded pins (lock pins, hitch pins, bent pins, tension lock hitch pins) or custom screw machined components, the benefit is clear: more predictable procurement, fewer surprises. When other suppliers are raising prices, Miller’s stability is a selling point.
Looking ahead, Miller continues to monitor raw material markets closely, maintain relationships with U.S. steel and material suppliers, and lean into operational efficiencies. The company remains committed to transparency with customers: catalog pricing, regular communication, and readiness to adapt, but so far, without compromising the stability customers have come to expect.
In a world where tariff regimes can shift rapidly, where international supply chains are under strain, Miller Products Company’s historic track record and decision to prioritize domestic sourcing serve as anchors of reliability. After more than eight decades, that reliability isn’t just legacy—it’s a competitive advantage.