U.S. businesses are dealing with growing inflationary pressures with rising input costs, material shortages, and unresolved supply issues being key drivers. Among manufacturers, 86.4 percent stated their primary current business challenge was an increase in raw material prices, according to the third quarter outlook survey by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). One of the roots of the rise in prices stems from energy fluctuations. “Energy costs going up will affect everything,” Dan Eberhart, an energy consultant and CEO of Canary, a Denver-based oilfield services company, told The Epoch Times. With input costs on the rise and instability in the air, many companies are unable to hold their quotes, making it difficult for manufacturers to plan and set forecasts. For instance, in the past, a supplier may have provided a quote of $80,000 for nuts and bolts, with the offer valid for 90 days. With so much uncertainty, there is a …