Accord Lighting Feeling Confident in Light of Recent Tariffs on Brazil

During Lightovation in June, the mood at Accord Lighting was optimistic. The company was among the minority in the industry that did not raise prices due to the tariffs on China as its product line is handcrafted in Brazil using indigenous wood.   

Bruce Hathaway, director of sales, told Lighting News Now that the reaction to the company’s introductions at Lightovation exceeded expectations. “The focus of our new release is the incorporation of decorative elements like brass and leather accents to complement our natural wood finishes,” he said at the time. “Adding these new elements, especially when shown in dramatic finish combinations, expands our design aesthetic and gives our showroom partners an opportunity to capture more customers who may not have looked at Accord Lighting previously.”

With the China tariffs impacting pricing of many high-end lighting lines, Accord Lighting’s showroom was indeed visited by more stores who were interested in exploring sources at Lightovation that offered premium product at a more competitive price unaffected by tariff pricing.

Then came President Trump’s announcement last week of a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods beginning on August 1.

Due to this recent development, Accord Lighting has had no choice by to institute a 12% price increase as of August 1. “Obviously this was unavoidable, but hopefully our customers understand the circumstances,” Hathaway told Lighting News Now. “Fortunately we are a unique company without a lot of direct competition. There’s a direct correlation between this price change and the tariff. If the tariffs are reduced, we will quicky reduce prices,” he said.  

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