Tariff hike tests Calgary-based van builder, but company finds ways to keep rolling

Rising tariffs on steel and aluminum are hitting a Calgary-based van conversion company hard, but instead of slamming on the brakes, they're shifting gears.

As the U.S. doubles tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50 per cent, a Calgary-based van conversion company faces rising material costs and growing uncertainty about cross-border business – but the small manufacturer is working quickly to adapt.

Yama Vans, located in Calgary’s Manchester industrial area, has been retrofitting Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans into custom-built, off-grid camper vehicles since 2018.

Co-founders, Patrick Bruns and Alexandra Welsh, say they have a large customer base in the United States ranging from as far as Texas, Florida, and New York. Increasing tariffs make it a challenge as 40 per cent of materials used to retrofit their vans come from south of the border.

“Roughly half of those materials are now subject to these tariffs and that adds anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000 to each van — which is a serious cost increase for a small manufacturer like us,” said Bruns.

“But we’ve been adapting to the changes. On the production team, we’re trying to be as efficient as we can, to soften that blow on the supply chain side and trying to find alternative suppliers in Canada, ordering more things in house to kind of reduce that cost too.”

Gear Bus

Even despite an instability in steel and aluminum prices, Yama Vans is also moving forward with the launch of its new modular van called the ‘Gear Bus.’

The Alberta-built recreation vehicle starting at $200,000 is inspired by a Swiss Army Knife equipped with a Murphy bed that folds away for gear hauling, integrated heating and insultation, pop up tent space, storage for recreational items and modular seating for up to 10 people.

“The decision to build this model really stemmed from the demand in the market and people coming to us trying to solve a problem,” said Welsh.

“Of course, there’s the negative side of things that’s hard to deal with, like the increased cost, the uncertainty with the consumer, but I would say on the positive side of things, people are really looking to support Canadian business.”

Fixed-price quotes

Yama Vans is also offering fixed-price quotes to customers in both Canada and the U.S., absorbing the risk of fluctuating material costs in a move the company hopes will provide some stability in an uncertain climate.

“We’ve had really great response about it so far, and we’ve sold a few units even before we launch,” added Welsh.

The Gear Bus will officially be unveiled at a launch party this upcoming Saturday June 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yama Vans office located at 334 53 Ave SE Unit 100.

For more about Yama Vans, go here.