Tariffs aren’t going away. But GROEBNER’s commitment to serving as a trusted, responsive distributor remains strong.
Tariffs have always added a layer of complexity in the natural gas industry, and more than ever, GROEBNER is working hard behind the scenes to stay ahead, communicate clearly, and support our customers through the recent changes and any feeling of uncertainty.
“As a distributor, we are unable to control the prices we receive from our vendors,” said Carissa Skorczewski, President & CEO of GROEBNER. “What we can control is how we respond with transparency, urgency, and a commitment to keeping our customers informed.”
The Reality: A Moving Target
Tariff-related increases are dictated by manufacturers and vendors. These costs can change often, and without much warning, due to a variety of reasons. Once GROEBNER receives an update, we comply and communicate the impact because we know how frustrating these fluctuations can be for contractors and utilities trying to manage project costs.
“We created a Tariff Team that meets weekly to monitor changes, assess vendor communications, and talk through how to explain the ‘why’ behind each increase,” said Matt Dvorak, VP of Sales. “Our goal is to be honest and helpful without compromising proprietary details like margin.”
The Challenge of Transparency
Customers want to ensure pricing increases are driven by tariffs, not distributor markups. That’s fair. But sharing exact cost breakdowns isn’t always possible. GROEBNER works to find a balance, communicating early and clearly without revealing sensitive pricing structures.
“We’re constantly working to strike the right balance. That means being transparent with our customers while also respecting the confidentiality of our vendor pricing agreements,” said Skorczewski. “Our priority is always to build trust through clear, honest communication, even when the situation is complex.”
Understanding the Timing: A Delicate Balance
With the rate of changes, these tariffs don’t come with advance notice. Often, GROEBNER is informed of cost changes retroactively, after purchase orders have already been in place for weeks or even months. This creates a tough situation, especially when it impacts open orders or projects that are already underway.
“We’re sometimes notified of a tariff change after we’ve placed a PO, which means those increases hit us and our customers without warning,” said Inventory Control Manager, Scott Doebler. “It’s important for our customers to know that these costs are passed directly through from the manufacturer. GROEBNER is working to stay transparent and responsive as the situation evolves.”
Internal Partnerships, External Support
Internally, GROEBNER relies on cross-functional collaboration to manage tariff impacts. Externally, we continue to prioritize communication with vendors and customers alike.
“We can’t control the timing or size of a vendor markup,” said Dvorak, “but we can make sure we’re responding quickly, aligning our teams, and doing everything possible to keep customers informed and working hard to get them what they need.”
Final Thoughts
Tariffs aren’t going away. But GROEBNER’s commitment to serving as a trusted, responsive distributor remains strong. Through weekly coordination, team alignment, and transparent customer conversations, we’re navigating these industry challenges head-on.
“We don’t shy away from tough conversations,” said Skorczewski. “That’s part of being a true partner.”
If you have questions or concerns about how tariffs may be impacting your pricing, we encourage you to reach out to your GROEBNER territory manager or contact our team directly at sales@groebner.com. We’re here to support you with clarity, honesty, and solutions.