As tariffs, supply chain shifts and price hikes continue to ripple through manufacturing, Venture Trailers is quietly holding the line
“We’ve been getting price increases since February of this year,” says Stephanie Van Slyke, owner. “We have not increased our prices yet. We’ve just been in this wait-and-see mode to figure out how to stabilize this for our dealers.”
She explains the company has been absorbing mounting supplier costs in an effort to shield dealers from the instability.
“Price increases in the market are cyclical. It happens every four or five years,” Stephanie explains. “Every time, we reassess and figure out how to handle this in a way that supports our dealers. This is what Venture does.”
In contrast to competitors who release new pricing sheets annually, often with predictable increases, Venture has historically held prices steady for up to five years at a time.
“I tell my salespeople all the time: Venture doesn’t do a new price sheet every year. Maybe every four or five years. That’s unheard of in this industry,” Stephanie says. “But it’s intentional. We do it because we say we want to be a good partner. This is how we prove it.”
That proof includes transparent communication during volatile moments, like the recent tariff turmoil that has left manufacturers scrambling to adjust.
“I sent a letter to our dealers that said, ‘We’re not doing anything with our pricing right now. We’re holding tight to see how this pans out,’” Stephanie says. “One of our dealers actually emailed back just to say thank you for the information. That meant a lot. We’re all drowning in email, so for someone to take the time to respond, that tells me it mattered.”
This isn’t a one-time gesture. It’s a pattern that reflects the company’s long-standing approach to pricing. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic sent raw material prices soaring, Venture was the last major trailer company to implement a price increase.
“We waited. We assessed. And when we finally did raise prices, it was only as much as we absolutely had to,” Stephanie says. “Then, as soon as the market started to level out, we went back to our suppliers and negotiated hard. And you know what? We dropped prices again.”
That post-COVID rollback was no fluke. Venture treats supplier negotiations as a discipline, not a reaction. Every year, the company proactively seeks better terms to keep pricing competitive.
“Our goal is always to get the most cost-effective trailer out to our dealers,” she says. “We’re not just accepting whatever the suppliers give us. We push back.”
This time around, the team is preparing to roll out a modest price increase. But even that is being handled with uncommon care.
“Instead of just saying ‘Boom, here’s your price increase,’ we’re letting them know in advance,” she says. “We’re saying: get your orders in before this date, and as long as we ship by that date, we’ll honor the current pricing.”
In other words, Venture is giving its dealers a window to save—if they’re willing to plan ahead.
“Most boat dealers order their boats six months in advance, but they don’t do that with trailers,” she said. “If they do the work now, they could save a lot of money. And we’re giving them that chance. A lot of companies wouldn’t.”
As manufacturers navigate an unpredictable global market, Venture’s message to its dealers remains steady and clear: We’ve got your back.
“We’re not just saying we want to help your bottom line. We’re doing it,” Stephanie says. “Our history shows that. Anyone who has worked with us for a while knows what to expect. No surprises.”