Effective January 1, 2012, Max Windsor Floors will increase its selling prices by 4%-8% effective with merchandise ordered on or after January 1, 2012. According to the manufacturer, the increase is mainly due to the tariff increase levied by the ITC against engineered wood flooring products made in China.
The company explained this is the first price increase imposed since the inception of the business. Further explanation of the increase was due to the last years of economic downturn in all sectors of the flooring industry, which suppressed prices. Until now, despite ongoing cost increase in raw materials, ocean and inland freight, and the growing strength of China’s currency vs. the U.S. dollar, Max Windsor Floors has chosen not to pass the increases to the customer. However, the company states the ITC tariff increases of “just under 5% are a magnitude which cannot be absorbed.”