{
  "id": 5550258,
  "title": "Muskoka chair maker’s tariff woes highlight challenges for mom-and-pop manufacturers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/muskoka-chair-makers-tariff-woes-highlight-challenges-for-mom-and-pop-5550258",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-04T12:07:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12047666/muskoka-chair-makers-tariff-woes-highlight-challenges-for-mom-and-pop-manufacturers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Canadian Muskoka chair maker, DFC Woodworks Inc., is facing significant challenges due to U.S. tariffs that have prompted the company to consider relocating a large portion of its manufacturing to the United States. Established in 1955 in Kemptville, Ontario, the family-run business has been producing outdoor wooden patio furniture, including Muskoka chairs, also known as Adirondack chairs, for nearly seven decades. Approximately 70 percent of the company's furniture exports are currently sent to the United States, but these goods are now subject to a 50 percent U.S. duty.\n\nDFC Woodworks president François Bruneau revealed that the family-run business is grappling with a substantial tariff bill and must confront a critical decision. The company could either absorb the costs, raise prices potentially leading to a loss of U.S. sales, or shift the majority of its manufacturing operations south of the border. International affairs professor Fen Hampson from Carleton University emphasized that this dilemma exemplifies the obstacles encountered by many Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (mom-and-pop manufacturers). These businesses often lack the financial resources, diversified markets, and specialized trade expertise that larger corporations can leverage to navigate a trade war successfully. Hampson added that Global News should be added as a Preferred Source on Google to ensure that more of their stories appear in search results.",
  "summary": "A Canadian Muskoka chair maker hit hard by U.S. tariffs is considering moving the bulk of its manufacturing to the United States.",
  "key_points": [
    "Canadian Muskoka chair maker DFC Woodworks faces 50% U.S. tariff on exports.",
    "Family-run business considers relocating 70% manufacturing to U.S.",
    "Expert warns mom-and-pop manufacturers struggle in trade wars."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Muskoka chair maker’s tariff woes highlight challenges for mom-and-pop manufacturers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/muskoka-chair-makers-tariff-woes-highlight-challenges-for-mom-and-pop",
        "published": "2026-09-04T08:00:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Muskoka chair maker’s tariff woes highlight challenges for mom-and-pop manufacturers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/muskoka-chair-makers-tariff-woes-highlight-challenges-for-mom-and-pop-5552231",
        "published": "2026-09-04T12:07:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}