FastCut CNC Champions the Value of In-House North American Manufacturing Amid Tariff Uncertainty

The Kamloops-based CNC plasma table manufacturer says current trade uncertainty is reinforcing the value of in-house manufacturing, direct supplier relationships, and support from the people who build the equipment.

Kamloops, BC, Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FastCut CNC, a North American manufacturer of CNC plasma cutting tables, says recent tariff changes between Canada and the United States are putting renewed attention on where manufacturing equipment and components come from, how they are built, and who stands behind them after the sale.

A FastCut CNC team member fabricates steel components in-house at the company’s Kamloops, British Columbia facility.

Canada introduced new counter-tariffs effective September 8, 2026, including 25% or 50% tariffs on certain U.S. steel and aluminum products. The measures followed new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods that took effect in August, adding another layer of uncertainty for manufacturers operating across the border.

For FastCut CNC, the renewed attention on sourcing and supply chains reflects an approach the company has followed for decades: build key systems in-house, understand how the equipment is made, and maintain a direct connection between the people manufacturing the machine and the customers using it.

FastCut manufactures and assembles major elements of its CNC plasma cutting systems in-house at its Kamloops facility, including table frames, wiring systems, controls, and other equipment components. Each system is assembled, configured, and tested before it is shipped to the customer.

“The tariff situation is putting more attention on where things actually come from,” said Russ Gallup, founder of FastCut CNC. “For us, building our equipment ourselves and knowing what goes into it has always been important. It also means that when a customer needs help, they are dealing with people who understand how that machine was built.”

Manufacturing origin matters beyond tariffs

Tariffs are only one factor affecting manufacturers, but supply-chain uncertainty can make sourcing decisions more visible.

For businesses investing in equipment, questions about origin can also become questions about long-term support. Where was the machine built? Who understands the system? How easily can parts be sourced? And who does the customer call when something needs troubleshooting?

FastCut has built its business around keeping many of those functions connected.

The company’s technical support team includes people who have had a direct role in building FastCut equipment, giving customers access to people who understand the systems beyond a manual or support script.

“We do not want someone buying a machine from us and then feeling like they are on their own,” Gallup said. “The people supporting the equipment have had a direct role in building it. That relationship is something we want to protect as we grow.”

A long-term approach to in-house manufacturing 

FastCut’s emphasis on manufacturing in-house was not created in response to the latest tariff changes.

Founded in 1999, the company has long positioned itself as a manufacturer rather than simply an assembler or reseller of CNC plasma cutting systems.

That approach gives FastCut greater involvement in how its equipment is fabricated, configured, tested, serviced, and supported.

For shops evaluating a CNC plasma table, the company encourages buyers to consider more than the initial purchase price. Training, technical support, access to replacement components, software flexibility, serviceability, and the relationship with the manufacturer can all affect the long-term value of the equipment.

The current trade environment is making some of those considerations more noticeable. Canada’s September countermeasures are concentrated in sectors including steel and aluminum, agricultural equipment, appliances, electronics, plastics, and other manufactured goods.

Staying personal as manufacturing changes

FastCut also sees direct manufacturer relationships as increasingly important as parts of the CNC and manufacturing industries continue to grow and consolidate.

The company says it intends to maintain the personal approach that has characterized the business since its founding.

For Gallup, the latest tariff changes do not alter FastCut’s manufacturing philosophy. They simply reinforce why knowing who built the equipment, where it came from, and who will support it can matter to buyers.

“There are companies that want a big corporate experience, and there are customers who want to know who they are dealing with,” Gallup said. “We have always wanted FastCut to be personal. We build the machines, we know the machines, and we are here when our customers need us.”

FastCut CNC team members work with a CNC plasma cutting table at the company’s Kamloops, British Columbia facility.

About FastCut CNC

FastCut CNC has spent over 25 years building the "iron" that runs fabrication shops across North America. As a family-run manufacturer based in Kamloops, BC, FastCut CNC specializes in manufacturing reliable, high-performance CNC plasma cutting tables for businesses of all sizes. Known for durability, precision, and hands-on customer support, FastCut CNC continues to innovate while staying true to its roots in North American manufacturing.

Press Inquiries

Russ Gallup
info [at] fastcutcnc.com
(866) 339-3377
https://fastcutcnc.com/
2841 Bowers Place Kamloops, BC V1S 1A7, Canada