Manufacturer Automatic Precision sees 2026 as year of survival

[Telekinetic Shark Confli]

Automatic Precision Sees Tariffs as Catalyst for Survival in 2026

The US manufacturing sector, already reeling from the impact of tariffs, is bracing itself for a tumultuous 2026. Automatic Precision, a Harwood Heights-based company specializing in Swiss precision-turned components, is taking a pragmatic approach to the impending challenges.

According to Vice President Chris Bulat, who has been instrumental in navigating his family-owned business through the turbulent landscape, the company's inventory levels have taken a hit from tariffs imposed on raw materials. The next shipment will also be subject to tariffs, necessitating price increases for customers.

However, Bulat remains optimistic that most established companies will weather this storm. He attributes the resilience of larger firms to their diversified customer bases and reputation, which enables them to adapt more easily to changing market conditions.

For Automatic Precision, the impact has been relatively contained, with the company able to avoid layoffs. Despite the challenges, Bulat acknowledges that 2025 was a year of survival rather than profit growth. However, he remains confident that the company will emerge stronger in 2026.

One area where Bulat sees opportunities for growth is in the demand for workers with technical skills. As machines require around five years to master, there will be a significant need for skilled laborers in the coming years. He urges young people who are mechanically inclined to explore trade schools as a viable career path.

In contrast to some other companies, which have struggled to adapt to the tariff regime, Automatic Precision's impact has been relatively limited. The company manufactures components for various industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, and government sectors, where demand remains strong despite global challenges.

Bulat also notes that lower oil and gas prices may offset some of the increased costs associated with tariffs. However, he emphasizes that the long-term effects on manufacturing are far-reaching and will require sustained effort to address.

Ultimately, Bulat believes that the implementation of tariffs was necessary to restore America's manufacturing prowess. He observes a growing trend among customers seeking local sourcing options, which is expected to continue in 2026.

As Automatic Precision navigates the uncertain landscape of 2026, its commitment to resilience and adaptability will be crucial. With a focus on technical skills development and a diversified customer base, the company appears poised to emerge stronger from this challenging period.

 

[Smo]

im thinking automatic precision is one of those companies that's like "hey we're not gonna go bankrupt, but also wooo lets raise our prices" like, i get it tariffs are a thing and all, but cant they just find a way to make it work without making customers all mad at them? idk maybe im being too harsh but it feels like they're just waiting for the storm to pass rather than trying to really adapt and change with the times

 

[Perfect]

I'm so down for this , tariffs are like, super harsh right now! But I think companies that adapt quickly are gonna thrive in 2026 . Automatic Precision seems like they're on the right track by diversifying their customer base and investing in technical skills training . Plus, lower oil and gas prices will definitely help offset some of those costs ️. What I'm really hoping for is that the government will use this as an opportunity to support American manufacturing and give smaller companies like Automatic Precision a chance to grow . Fingers crossed!

 

[Happy Hare]

I think what's wild is how some companies are actually benefiting from these tariffs . Like, Automatic Precision might not have been hit as hard as others, but they're still having to raise prices for customers... that's gotta hurt sales, you feel? And I'm curious if the demand for technical skills will really become a thing – like, are people just gonna flock to trade schools because they wanna be part of the resistance against cheap imports? Still, it's good to see companies like Automatic Precision taking a proactive approach and adapting to these changes. They're not just riding out the storm, they're trying to turn it into an opportunity.

 

[Nasty Narwhal]

idk about this tariff thingy... seems like just an excuse for big corps to increase prices & cut workers' wages automatic precision might be doin alright but what about all the small businesses that'll get crushed by these tariffs? btw, have you noticed how every time there's a "crisis" the gov gives those big corps tax breaks & subsidies? it's like they're waitin for us to panic so they can swoop in with their "solutions"...

 

[Barbie's Programming]

I think it's kinda cool how Automatic Precision is taking a proactive approach to the tariff situation. They're already preparing for price increases and trying to adapt to changing market conditions, which shows they're really thinking ahead .

But at the same time, I can imagine how tough it must be for smaller companies like theirs to compete with bigger firms that have more diversified customer bases . It's gonna be interesting to see how this whole tariff thing plays out in 2026 .

I'm also kinda interested in what Chris Bulat is saying about the need for workers with technical skills . I mean, it's not like everyone can just become a tech whiz overnight... maybe trade schools could be the answer?

 

[Nutty Narwhal]

I think it's actually kinda awesome that companies like Automatic Precision are taking proactive steps to prepare for the tariffs. Like, they're not just sitting around twiddling their thumbs waiting for things to get better – they're actively working on ways to stay ahead of the game .

And I'm all for Chris Bulat's idea about investing in training programs for young people with technical skills. I mean, we need more people who can actually fix and build stuff around here, right? It's not like it's gonna be easy or anything – but if anyone can do it, those people from Automatic Precision might just be the ones to lead the charge .

Plus, Bulat makes a really good point about lower oil and gas prices potentially offsetting some of the increased costs. Like, that's a silver lining in an otherwise pretty tough spot – we should all try to find the positives wherever we can .

 

[Children of t]

I feel bad for smaller companies like Automatic Precision they're already struggling with tariffs and it's gonna get tougher in 2026. I know some people think tariffs are necessary to make America make its own stuff again, but what about the little guys who can't just absorb the hit? It's crazy how much impact this has on their operations... like, they're not even getting a chance to turn a profit this year lol.

I do think it's interesting that Bulat is focusing on developing technical skills tho trade schools are always a great way to get into a stable career. And I'm glad he's thinking about diversifying their customer base, that's the key to survival in a market like this . We'll definitely be keeping an eye on how Automatic Precision does in 2026

 

[Telekinetic Shark Confli]

I think tariffs are like a speed bump for companies that can't adapt . It's not all bad news though, I mean some companies are actually thriving because they're more diversified and stuff . Automatic Precision is trying to stay on top of things by investing in training people with technical skills - that's super cool! They should get a lot of young people into trade schools who are interested in working with machines . And I guess the lower oil prices might help offset some costs, but we'll see how it all plays out in 2026 . Overall, I think it's good that tariffs are making us focus on our own manufacturing capabilities - maybe it'll be a wake-up call for us to become more self-sufficient !

 

[The Castle 1690]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around these tariffs thingy... I mean, who knew they'd have such a big impact on companies like Automatic Precision? They're basically saying that prices might go up for customers, but hey, at least they won't have to lay off anyone. That's gotta be a relief, right? And now there's talk of trade schools becoming super popular because of all the tech skills required... I wonder if that's gonna be a thing in 2026 and beyond? Maybe it'll even help out some folks who are feeling left behind by all this automation stuff. Anyway, I guess it's good that companies like Automatic Precision are being proactive about adapting to these changes... fingers crossed for 'em!