Consumer durable makers pass higher input costs to buyers

Kitchen pots, pans, and small appliances are becoming more expensive to make.

Companies that make them have to pay more for metal, plastic, and packaging materials.

For a while, these companies paid the extra cost themselves and kept prices the same.

Now they are starting to make shoppers pay more instead.

One company, TTK Prestige, said its material costs went up by 5 to 7 percent.

It began raising prices at the end of the first three months of the year.

Another company, Hawkins Cookers, already raised prices in March and April and may raise them again.

Stove Kraft is also charging more for its products.

The companies hope to manage costs carefully so prices do not go up too much.

This means shoppers may soon see higher prices for kitchen items.