Editor’s note: For the June issue of Portable Plants, members of the Editorial Advisory Board were asked the following questions: Given the changes/volatility that have gone on so far this year (tariffs, inflation, interest rates, price increases, etc.), how would you characterize your company’s performance nearly halfway through 2025? What impacts, if any, have these economic headwinds had on your company so far this year? What is your outlook for the rest of 2025?
For us at WDS, the tariffs have had minimal impact on our current operations so far this year.
This is due mainly to our own internal parts inventory and sourcing. As a company, we make every effort to keep common-use and critical failure parts/components on hand to minimize or eliminate downtime and interruptions to our production schedules. Additionally, since all our customers are U.S. entities and the materials we produce remain in the U.S., we have not been directly affected by any tariffs placed on the U.S.
Regarding our performance at this point in the year, we are on pace to have another “good” year in terms of production. Price increases and inflation historically have tended not to immediately impact that aspect. As we continue into 2025 and beyond, these issues may impact us and our customers. However, they have not done so yet.
Regarding inflation as a whole and its annual rates, I believe there are several key points to note and consider. Currently, the rate of USD inflation is down compared to the last several years. On the surface, this is a good sign. However, while the rate of inflation is lower than in previous years, it is still on the side of growth. This, in turn, means that our dollars and buying power are still less than what they were a decade ago.
On the other hand, the few times U.S. inflation has trended in the negative, it has been during or directly after severe economic crises, such as in 1934 and 2009. In regard to this, so far in 2025, our dollars have not lost as much buying power as fast as they have in previous years and, truthfully, I would like to see the dollar gain buying power instead. However, I am concerned, as this has historically only occurred during extremely difficult economic times.
WDS has not noticed a severe impact of the current inflation rates on the supplies and components we have purchased, or at least no major increase compared to the last several years.
Featured photo: Portable Plants staff
Related: June 2025 Editorial Advisory Board: Clement Cazalot, Machinery Partner