A fresh wave of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump is shaking up the manufacturing landscape in the United States, prompting a rush of new orders for some small and midsize manufacturers who say they’re reaping the benefits of the trade shift.

With global supply chains adjusting to the revived tariff strategy, certain American businesses are reporting a sharp increase in demand as customers seek alternatives to foreign-made goods now facing higher import costs.

“We are swamped. We are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week in both Chicago and Cleveland,” said Jack Schron, president of Jergens Inc., a tool manufacturer. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Schron noted that his company’s operations in Ohio and Illinois are “going like gangbusters,” citing a combination of tariff-driven demand and increased defense contracts over the last year and a half.

Trump’s tariff policy, aimed at bolstering domestic industry, has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that the move is reinvigorating U.S. manufacturing, giving domestic producers a leg up over overseas competitors. Detractors, however, caution that the tariffs could drive up consumer prices and create uncertainty for long-term planning.

That uncertainty is on the minds of manufacturers like Jergens. While orders are climbing, Schron says his company is being cautious when it comes to expanding its workforce. “We are reluctant to expand hiring out of fear that the tariffs could be rolled back,” he explained.

Major manufacturers are also weighing the impact. Appliance giant Whirlpool, which builds the majority of its U.S. products on American soil, says its business has suffered since Trump-era tariffs lapsed in 2023, giving imported goods an edge in the market. Foreign rivals, the company says, have been able to cut costs by sourcing cheaper Asian components—an advantage Whirlpool estimates has translated to a $150 price difference at retail.

“The tariffs will finally help create a level playing field for Whirlpool,” said CEO Marc Bitzer in a recent call with analysts. Still, Bitzer acknowledged the new policy comes with its own price tag, forecasting a 2.4 percent increase in production costs this year due to tariffs on imported parts.