June 2009

Life—and Business—Go On

In times like these, you take your good news wherever you can find it. Case in point: A recent survey finds that, although revenues and capital spending remain concerns for mid-size manufacturers, by at least one measure most remain optimistic about the future.

JIM DESTEFANI, Editor
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According to the survey of 103 business owners and purchasing professionals at mid-size manufacturing companies surveyed by industrial purchasing consortium Prime Advantage, most are pressing forward despite tough economic conditions. For example, 87% of respondents expect to introduce new products in 2009, even as 62% also expect some level of revenue decline for the year.

By far the top external concern of respondents was simply bad business—weak customer demand was cited by 83%, followed by “credit markets and interest rates” (44%) and “volatility of the dollar” (37%).

While 66% of respondents said capital spending for U.S. locations will decrease from 2008 levels, the high percentage of surveyed companies introducing new products may be an indicator of optimism for the future. Read survey


	Share your views, win an Amazon gift certificate UESTION What do you think? Are things looking up in the coming months, or are survey respondents overly optimistic? Be succinct and let us know your opinion, and you’ll have an opportunity to snag a $50 Amazon gift card. Responses may be published in next month’s Digital Dispatch. Click here to respond

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