BOULDER, Colo. — For the last six years, Kay Martin has been the owner of BOCO Gear. Her company focuses on making customized headwear for clubs and companies.
Two years ago, her business was hit hard when tariffs were put on her products, all of which are made in China.
After raising prices and finally starting to turn a profit again, the coronavirus hit and impacted the factory Martin works with in China. Not only was their production in jeopardy but also the backlog of products waiting to be shipped.
"Freight wasn't going to be able to move, either by air or by sea because of ships and the limitations we had on priority shipping," Martin said.
Now, Martin said the factory has started picking up again. But Rich Harper, a trade expert with the Outdoor Industry Association, said that's not the case for everyone.
"What I've heard from members is they can't do a full assessment of what the impact is going to be on their supply chains of their business until the factories are up and running again and product can begin coming to market," Harper said.
For Martin, the crisis may not be over. There is still the threat that events she supplies, like the Boston Marathon, could be canceled due to the coronavirus.