Navigating Tariffs with Global Reach and Localized Solutions
Now, more than ever, words like tariff, trade, and trade wars are taking center stage, dominating headlines and global strategy meetings. These uncertain times are not only catching global businesses off guard, but are resulting in new trade restrictions, shifts in alliances and policy moves that are challenging the worldwide economic environment.
So, what to do amid change and economic fluctuations? A key advantage of today’s disruptive environment is having a global footprint or maintaining collaborative relationships with companies that have an international presence.
As we respond to the uncertainties caused by announcements of tariffs, their reversals, and reinforcements, we reflect on the words of Benoit Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Saint-Gobain®. In a recent Saint-Gobain newsletter, Bazin stated, “We must stay the course and keep a steady hand at the helm of the Saint-Gobain ship—with confidence, strength, and composure. This means remaining true to our strategy and leveraging our country-based business model. It gives us a strong local foundation, close to our markets and customers, and the on-the-ground intelligence we need to adapt quickly and effectively.”
In many cases, international operations aren’t just a strategic backdrop, they are a strategic asset that allows for operational agility and adaptability in a world where feelings of uncertainty are second nature. With shifting policies and trade dynamics, for example, European hubs may help to ease the pressure of tariffs placed on US goods, while regional production centers can balance costs and ensure effective delivery of products to customers. The ability to flex, reallocate, and innovate in response to new trade rules is what sets resilient companies apart.
When tariffs, trade policies and global disruptions can change rapidly, even overnight, staying connected with supply chain industry experts is essential to staying agile and prepared. Supply chain leaders have their finger on the pulse regarding sourcing shifts, lead time changes, pricing adjustments, delivery route changes, and supplier risks, all of which are critical to making smart decisions quickly.
Because sharing information, staying informed and staying connected on day-to-day supply chain learnings and insights ensures adaptability, we’ve connected with the Tape Solutions Global Purchasing Manager, Robert Lewandusky to share insights and stay better informed about how the Tape Solutions teams are navigating these changing times.
Before we get to the impact of tariffs, specifically, what are your critical lessons over the years as our global procurement manager?
One of the most critical lessons has been the importance of evaluating the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). While unit price is a key consideration, it's essential to also factor in quality, risk, service levels, technological capabilities, and sustainability. These elements collectively influence the true cost and long-term value of procurement decisions.
What is the greatest strength that helps Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions stay resilient in changing times?
I believe collaboration is our greatest strength. When we avoid working in silos and look to partner throughout the supply-chain, we can overcome many of the challenges we face & stay resilient.
How have the 2025 tariffs impacted our current supplies and sourcing strategies?
Tariffs have certainly increased the cost of materials; we must continue to look to prioritize regional supply where possible.
What recent trends or strategic shifts are you seeing across the supply chain landscape, especially in response to current global trade and tariff developments?
The broader trend indicates a move towards a more resilient, diversified, and technologically advanced supply chains. Companies are proactively adapting to the evolving trade environment to ensure long-term stability and competitiveness. They are expanding their sourcing scope, relocating their supply chains closer to key markets, & prioritizing diversification of supply & sustainability.
Saint-Gobain is a strong global group and innovation is in our DNA. At Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions, a business unit within Saint-Gobain, we have eight R&D centers in America, Europe and Asia and we pride ourselves on our global manufacturing footprint. Due to the global reach of our manufacturing sites and R&D centers, we can draw upon our diverse, worldwide, teams for resources, advanced testing capabilities, and technical expertise to more easily develop tailored solutions for the evolving needs of our customers.
At Tape Solutions, our wide portfolio of products provides support to customers across a wide variety of market areas, including mobility, industrial, building & construction, energy, EV and more. As stated earlier, our diverse product portfolio is specially designed for functions such as protection of surfaces, sealing, gasketing, and cushioning as well as bonding and attachment. Let’s explore these core functions, the products that serve them, and expand on how they can be accessed, globally.
Surface Protection Solutions
The purpose of surface protection solutions (Norgard®) is to protect a component from external environments.
For parts manufacturers or MRO players, we offer removable solutions that serve as process aids to protect equipment and keep productivity high by minimizing downtime and maintaining production efficiency. Common markets and applications include thermal spray, heat sealing, composite molding, wound care dressings, masking & splicing, and solar panel efficiency protection.
For manufacturers of costly parts or systems we also offer permanent protection solutions which are specially designed to ensure high-performance, high-quality and long-lasting durability, providing lifetime protection for products exposed to extreme environmental conditions. These products can be used in applications such as electrical insulation, wire harnessing for aerospace, within downhole pumps for oil and gas, as robot guide tapes (UHMW) and many more, where optimal performance and lifetime durability are key.
*Norgard products are manufactured in Hoosick Falls (New York, United States), Wayne (New Jersey, United States), Kolo (Poland) and Willich (Germany).
Performance Insulation and Gaskets
Our performance insulation and gasket solutions (Norseal®) can help fill a space between components, allowing our customers to tightly insulate and protect an underlying area from the impact of the external environment. These products also manage the transmission of mechanical stresses or vibrations.
For manufacturers of high quality, premium parts or systems, our Norseal materials provide cushioning, shock absorption and spacing. They have superior sealing capabilities and can provide excellent thermal and fire insulation.
Products from the Norseal line, unlike liquid sealants, lower performance foams, felt pads, or mechanical components, are well-known for high-durability, high quality, cost-efficiency, durability and ease of installation.
Whether the primary need involves sealing and insulation positioning or cushioning and spacing, Norseal products are a go-to within many different markets and applications. Some applications include serving as cushioning and compression pads for EV batteries, press pads in electronics, NVH control in rail applications, glass spacer tapes in construction/auto applications, and much more!
*Norseal products are manufactured in Granville (New York, United States), Hoosick Falls (New York, United States), Chaineux (Belgium), Shanghai (China).
Attachment Solutions
Norbond Attachment Solutions are a go-to when customers need a solution to apply at the interface of two components and hold them together. For manufacturers of high-quality premium parts or systems, Norbond solutions provide fast bonding that can guarantee a temporary or permanent attachment of a part to a specific substrate.
Unlike lower performance tapes, Norbond Attachment Tapes provide high-performance and reliability, easy application, and the ability to withstand a variety of external conditions and stresses.
Norbond products can be applied permanently such as within automotive emblem badging or exterior trim attachments, within truck/trailer applications for panel frame assembly, or within construction for ACM/glass bonding. They can also be applied temporarily as carpet tapes within aerospace, as wheel weight attachment in automotive, or as lens edging tape in industrial applications.
*Norbond products are manufactured in Granville (New York, United States), Chaineux (Belgium), Sumare (Brazil), Waakirchen (Germany), Biandrate (Italy) and Shanghai (China).
In the modern era, this international footprint also helps our teams provide the flexibility to better navigate trade tensions, supply disruptions, and evolving market demands. With customers at the core of everything we do, our range of cutting-edge products are specially designed to enhance both efficiency and performance.
Put more simply, our foam, film and tape solutions provide the simplest, fastest, cleanest, way to protect, bond, or modify properties of surfaces, providing customers with economic solutions that are fast to select, spec-in, supply and install. Access to our wealth of technical resources, application testing facilities and global customization capabilities provides our customers with fast prototyping, fast ability to scale as well as continuous access to the right solution, no matter where they are located.
Our products are specially formulated to help take extreme care of our customers’ products, with a diverse range of functions and capabilities. If you have questions about how to obtain any of our surface protection, performance insulation, gasketing, or attachment solutions, connect with our team today.