How Tariffs Are Upending Fleet Maintenance Services — And What Kooner FMS Is Doing About It

Here at Kooner Fleet Management Solutions, we remain attuned to the changes in the market that may impact the reliability and affordability of our customers' operations. One problem that's quickly moved from front pages to shop floors? The 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum.

Although it may appear to be a manufacturer's issue, the tariffs now create ripple effects in fleet repair services for trucks, affecting parts availability, pricing, and service timelines in real time, especially for businesses relying on mobile fleet maintenance services across multiple states.

What Tariffs Mean for Fleet Maintenance

In a recent FleetOwner article, our Chief Operating Officer, Mike Quimby, explained how the changes are being implemented on the ground:

"Steel is going to take a hit. Twenty-five percent, when you bring that down to maintenance, it's bolts; it's bars."

He's serious. These aren't assembly-line raw materials—these are the essential parts that go into every day of fleet maintenance services: brackets, fasteners, housings, etc. As materials get more expensive, so does fleet readiness.

In the world of truck and trailer repair, readiness is everything.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Exposed

The tariff situation has revealed fragilities within the maintenance supply chain that many fleet operators never considered. Regional distributors who previously guaranteed 24-hour turnaround on common parts now quote delivery times of 3-5 business days. For specialized components, some vendors report backorders stretching into months.

This vulnerability hits hardest for fleets operating across state lines. A part readily available in Texas might be impossible to source in Oklahoma, forcing maintenance coordinators to develop complex logistics workarounds that drive up costs and delay repairs.

The most concerning aspect? Independent shops without established supplier relationships face even greater challenges accessing critical components, creating an uneven playing field across the mobile fleet maintenance sector.

Slower Repairs, Longer Downtime

To counter the volatile market, auto parts retailers are hoarding their stocks in the expectation of riding out the fluctuations. That will sustain them for a while, but it is not a long-term solution. Eventually, if the fundamentals are tight, even small repairs will be postponed.

As Mike himself said:

"That's going to impact the fleet with a longer repair cycle time."

Lost time is the actual cost driver in this industry. And in 24/7 roadside assistance, every minute counts.

Read on to find out the Essential Strategies to Prevent Your Engine from Overheating and Avoid Breakdowns

How Kooner FMS Is Ahead

Instead of relying on parts shortages to impact service delivery, Kooner FMS is taking the initiative:

• Strategic Supplier Agreements: We're buying long-term contracts to lock in pricing and guarantee consistent availability, regardless of how unstable the market is.

• Stockpile Smarter: Increasing our inventory on parts, most notably on our most commonly-used ones, means we can expedite customer repairs and reduce waiting times. This proactive stocking strengthens our ability to provide contactless truck and trailer repair across our mobile units.

• Predictive Maintenance Tools: We're applying data to determine when equipment will fail and prevent it from occurring, which enables us to mitigate issues stemming from supply chain downtime. This digital edge supports our commitment to fleet uptime and uninterrupted last-mile maintenance.

These moves ensure that our clients, especially those managing logistics-heavy operations, get ahead of delays and are not caught in them.

We're combining traditional readiness with intelligent technology to remain agile, because fleet downtime is not a gamble you take.

Moving Forward With Eyes Wide Open

Mike summed it up best:

"We've got our head on a swivel, thinking about anything a possibility that might impact not only our business, but our customers."

That forward thinking is part of every decision we make. We build strong partnerships, strategize, and innovate to combat tariffs and supply chain interruptions.

Whether it's mobile fleet maintenance, emergency roadside truck repair, or full-scale fleet management services, our team is built for resilience and responsiveness.

We're building systems not just to survive but to thrive in adversity. We will keep you updated on how Kooner FMS is progressing to meet the increasingly dynamic demands of the market and keep the fleets on the move.