Michigan Clock Company to Cease Production, Citing Trump-Era Tariffs and Housing Market Woes

Howard Miller Co., a nearly century-old Michigan-based manufacturer of grandfather clocks, wall clocks, and furniture, has announced it will phase out production this year. The company plans to continue selling its existing inventory through 2026.

A company representative stated that the decision was driven by a struggling housing market, which directly impacts furniture sales. “Our hopes for a market recovery early in the year were quickly dashed,” the representative noted, “as tariffs rattled the supply chain, sparked recession fears and pushed mortgage rates higher.”

Specifically, tariffs previously imposed by the Trump administration have significantly increased the cost of essential components that are not available for domestic sourcing. The company currently employs approximately 200 people across its Michigan and North Carolina facilities.