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As part of our Inspiring Success Stories series, we sat down with Mayan Metzler, CEO and Founder of German Kitchen Center (GKC), one of America’s leading names in luxury European kitchen design. With recent U.S. import tariffs threatening to raise the cost of kitchen cabinetry by as much as 50% by 2026, homeowners and designers alike are wondering what this means for remodels and new builds. In this exclusive conversation, Mayan discusses how GKC is responding to these challenges, why the company refuses to pass costs onto clients, and what this decision means for the future of the home design industry.

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What’s going on with tariffs on kitchen cabinets, and why should homeowners care?

Recently, the U.S. imposed new import tariffs on finished kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and certain wooden furniture items. For example, imports of kitchen cabinets may be subject to rates as high as 50% starting in early 2026. Lesprom Network+1 Homeowners should care because these tariffs can significantly increase the cost of a full-kitchen remodel or new construction kitchen, and may impact lead times or the choice of materials.

How do these tariffs impact a company like German Kitchen Center?

At GKC, we source premium European‑brand kitchens (brands like Leicht, Team 7, and Charles Yorke). Tariffs raise the cost of imported finished goods and components, putting pressure on margins. Many companies respond by raising prices, reducing selection, or even exiting the market. As noted in industry reports, smaller firms expect to absorb some cost, but many may struggle. 

Why is GKC choosing not to raise its prices despite the tariff pressure?

GKC has built our business on reliability, high standards, and trust. Since 2010, we’ve completed thousands of kitchen and full‑home projects nationwide. We believe our clients should not bear sudden cost shifts due to external trade policy changes. Therefore, we are absorbing the added cost of tariffs rather than passing them on — so our pricing remains stable for now. This positions us differently from many competitors.

Is that financially sustainable for GKC?

Absorbing added costs definitely puts some short-term pressure on our margins, but GKC is in a very strong operational position. Our size, methodology, technology platform, and national scale give us a level of stability and efficiency that smaller, single-location showrooms simply don’t have.
We also believe in keeping our prices attractive. That helps us maintain higher volume — and even if our gross margin per kitchen is a bit lower, the overall volume keeps our profitability strong. In other words, we’d rather stay busy, keep our clients happy, and grow through scale than chase short-term margin gains.
At the end of the day, this is a strategic investment in customer trust, brand differentiation, and long-term relationships. Our goal has always been the same: safe, spectacular kitchens, 100% completed.

What message does GKC want to send to prospective clients in the current tariff environment?

The message is: If you’re worried about your budget creeping up or about remodels getting delayed or scaled back due to tariffs, you can rely on GKC to maintain our pricing commitment. We’ll deliver outstanding European kitchen styling and full-home remodel capabilities without hidden cost increases due to global tariffs.

How are these tariffs affecting the wider kitchen‑cabinetry industry?

• Projects are being postponed because clients hear headlines like “kitchen cabinets will increase 50 %”. 
• Some manufacturers and importers are scaling back product variety because they’ll have to absorb or pass on the cost. 
• Some remodelers say the volatility is damaging consumer confidence. 
• At the same time, there is an opportunity for firms already using domestic manufacturing, though many supply chains remain global.

Are all imported kitchens subject to the same tariff rates?

No. There are variations depending on the country of origin and trade agreements in place. For example, the U.S. announced that European Union imports may be capped at a rate of ~15%, rather than the complete 50% for other countries. Lesprom Network+1But even with a favorable status, supply chain cost pressures (transport, materials, currency, etc.) still apply.

Given that GKC works with premium European brands, does that mitigate the tariff impact?

Yes, to a degree. Working with European-brand kitchens means we may be exempt from the highest tariff tiers that apply to non-EU imports. However, even so, global logistics, components, hardware, and finishing materials continue to face pressure. We still feel the market squeeze — but our scale, sourcing strategy, and brand positioning enable us to manage it without passing on the cost to the client.

How do we communicate this pricing commitment to clients?

We intend to be transparent: when clients meet with our designers, we will explain the tariff environment, how many companies are raising prices or reducing offerings, and how GKC is choosing a different path. We will highlight our use of premium brands, our robust supply chain, and our commitment to absorbing costs to deliver on our promise of reliability and quality.

What should homeowners do when planning a kitchen now, given the tariff climate?

• Lock in their scope and pricing as early as possible (before further cost escalation).
• Work with a trusted partner who has strong sourcing, supply‑chain management, and a proven track record (e.g., GKC).
• Ask about what component origins are, whether there are “hidden” cost escalators.
• Budget for potential lead‑time or selection trade‑offs if choosing lower‑cost imported product lines.
• Consider partnering with a brand‑focused company that stands by its pricing commitment (such as GKC).

For GKC clients, what advantages do these premium European brands (Leicht, Team 7, Charles Yorke) bring in this context?

• Premium build quality, modern materials, and finishes aligned with GKC’s “spectacular kitchens” promise.
• Sourcing that is better positioned to withstand tariff shocks (especially European‑origin) than some low‑cost imported cabinet lines.
• A full home-project capability (not just kitchens), which helps clients seeking large-scale remodels or new-construction kitchens avoid piecemeal cost surprises.
• A trusted partner in GKC with thousands of completed projects and a methodology to ensure 100% completion, which matters more when disruptions loom.

What is GKC’s advice for clients who fear tariffs will catch up later?

Our advice is: don’t wait. The longer you delay, the greater the risk of cost escalation, supply chain disruption, and a narrower selection of options. By engaging with GKC now, clients can secure their design, execution, and pricing with us. Our absorption of additional tariff costs ensures your budget remains intact, even as market pressures intensify.

Are there any limitations or disclaimers to GKC’s pricing guarantee due to the tariff situation?

Yes — we always counsel clients that large-scale remodels and new construction are complex, and costs can fluctuate (due to labor, site conditions, and upgrades). Our guarantee covers cabinetry price increases due to the tariff absorption strategy. But clients should still allow for contingencies in their overall project budget. GKC’s methodology and project management reduce risk — but they do not eliminate all variables of construction and remodeling.

How will GKC continue to monitor and respond to evolving tariff or trade policy?

GKC closely monitors global sourcing, shipping, and trade policies. We routinely assess our supply chain, check for cost impacts, and proactively secure inventory and negotiate pricing with our brand partners (Leicht, Team 7, Charles Yorke). If trade policy shifts further, we may adjust our internal cost structures; however, our client-facing pricing remains protected for the time being.

What final message do you want readers and potential clients to take away?

In a period of rising uncertainty, tariffs, supply‑chain disruption, and rising costs threaten to ripple through kitchen remodels. But at GKC, we’re not waiting. We’re taking a bold stand: maintaining our pricing, delivering premium European kitchen brands, leveraging our national scale and methodology, and ensuring our clients receive the spectacular kitchen (or entire-home remodel) they deserve — without sudden cost increases. If your goal is to be safe, confident, and finished on time and on budget despite external shocks, then we believe GKC is the partner you want.

How are some competitors handling the new tariffs, and how does GKC’s approach differ?

Many of our competitors are adding the cost of tariffs onto the back end of the project. This means clients may receive a proposal with an appealing base price, but later get hit with significant add-on charges — often justified as “unavoidable” due to tariffs or supply chain issues. In contrast, GKC made a clear, upfront decision to absorb the tariff cost internally. Our pricing remains consistent from the start, with no surprise surcharges. That transparency is part of what makes us the most reliable kitchen source in the country.

Why does it matter if a company adds tariffs to the back end instead of being transparent?

When companies pass tariff costs onto clients after contracts are signed, it often causes budget blowouts, project delays, or even cancellation. For homeowners, it adds uncertainty, stress, and mistrust. At GKC, the client experience should be confident and predictable. That’s why we’ve chosen to absorb those costs ourselves. Our size, structure, and vendor relationships enable us to do so — smaller firms often lack that flexibility. With GKC, you know what you’re getting from day one.

Finally, how can our global readers stay updated on this new development with GKC?

For anyone interested in staying connected or learning more, we invite you to visit our TerraLux website, GKC, and Facebook page. If you’d like to discuss this directly, please email us at mayan@GermanKitchenCenter.com or call us at (347) 992–0410.