Core Insights - FASTSIGNS, a Canadian company based in Windsor, faced its toughest year since the pandemic due to a decline in orders from automotive clients [1] - The company is experiencing longer payment terms, smaller orders, and tougher price negotiations from customers amid uncertainty surrounding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) [2] - The USMCA's uncertain future is significantly impacting Windsor's economy, which contracted by 0.6% in the fourth quarter [4] Company Overview - FASTSIGNS specializes in designing and installing custom business signs and graphics, primarily serving the automotive sector [1] - The company is affected by the broader economic conditions in Windsor, which is heavily reliant on the automotive industry and trade with the U.S. [6][8] Industry Context - Windsor is a manufacturing hub with a high concentration of small and specialized part makers, primarily serving car companies [6] - The local economy is significantly impacted by U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, leading to fluctuating demand for local manufacturers [7] - Manufacturing accounts for nearly 25% of employment in the Windsor-Essex region, with about 90% of the city's exports crossing the U.S. border [8]