Throughout 2025 and into 2026, many materials we use in CNC machining have become more expensive. At Polyhistor, we understand that this increase can create real challenges, and we work hard to control part costs while staying transparent about the factors behind your quote. We see you as a partner, not merely a customer, and we do everything we can to enable your success.
Why Material Prices Have Increased
There is no one cause behind higher material prices; from plastic to aluminum and beyond, each material has its own supply chain and market conditions. But there are a few well-known factors that have affected the price of many materials.
Increasing energy and transportation costs: Energy, fuel, freight, and logistics costs can fluctuate due to changes in global and domestic market conditions. These fluctuations may affect material costs throughout the supply chain and, in turn, influence product pricing. While market conditions may improve or worsen over time, transportation and energy costs remain important factors in overall manufacturing costs.
Tariffs and trade policy: Tariffs and trade policy have also had a significant effect, especially for metals and other imported materials. Some tariffs changed or were removed in 2026, but uncertainty around future policy still makes pricing hard to predict.
How Material Costs Affect Part Pricing
For many of the parts we manufacture, material is not usually the largest factor in the final price. Machining time, complexity, tolerances, finishing requirements, inspection, and production volume often have a bigger impact.
Yet material still does have an effect. If a customer returns to our shop today for a repeat part after a year or more, they will likely notice the higher raw material cost that shows up in their quote.
How We Help Control Your Costs
When prices go up, our goal is to explain the change clearly and look for ways to reduce or offset the increase. We’ll explore several different steps to help you manage your manufacturing costs.
Find the Best Options in Our Supplier Network
We have a strong network of trusted material vendors. When prices are volatile or rising, we don’t just accept the first available price; we look for competitive options from reliable sources.
Sometimes, we may even be able to use remaining in-stock material from our facility that we purchased at earlier pricing, which can reduce costs.
Exploring Material Alternatives
A material change may be able to reduce overall part cost without compromising function. This is highly dependent on your part’s application and end use, but we’re always open to discussing it with you if a material becomes expensive or difficult to source.
In some cases, a material that costs more per pound may actually lower your part’s cost because it can be machined faster. For example, in one recent project, switching from 1018 steel to 12L14 steel led to a better quote because the cycle times could be reduced.
Reduce Precision Machining Costs With DFM
Design for manufacturing (DFM) can also help offset higher material costs. DFM does not change the price of the material itself, but it can reduce the machining time and complexity that can be the biggest cost drivers behind your quote.
We have a strong engineering background at Polyhistor, and that is especially valuable in design and DFM guidance. We can help identify small design adjustments that make a part easier to machine without affecting its function. A challenging feature or tight tolerance may add cost in ways that are worth reviewing during the design process.
Blanket Order Structures
Like DFM, blanket orders are another powerful tool to offset rises in material prices. If you know you will need the same component again, placing a larger order under one PO can let you access better pricing through higher quantities. We’ll be able to secure material and reserve capacity well in advance. Blanket orders can help at a variety of quantities; a project does not require high-volume production machining to benefit.
When Prices Rise, Prioritize Partnership
Regardless of where material markets move next, our approach will stay the same. We will be transparent about what is driving your quote and proactive about looking for cost-saving opportunities.
Request a quote today and collaborate with our Jacksonville machine shop to find the best path forward for your project!