Looking at the next 12 months, the majority (52%) of industrial products manufacturers surveyed are uncertain about the U.S. economy, according to the latest edition of the PwC U.S. Manufacturing Barometer.
Overall, uncertainty has replaced optimism as the prevailing view of the U.S. economy. Thirty-five percent are optimistic, down 10 points from the prior quarter, and only 13% are pessimistic. Uncertainty also dominates the 12-month outlook for the world economy among those marketing abroad, with 38% optimistic about its prospects, and 51% uncertain. Only 11% are pessimistic.
In Q3 2010, 27% of panelists viewed the U.S. economy as growing, down 31 points from the prior quarter. However, only 20% believed it was declining. The majority believed the U.S. economy did not change from Q2 2010. Of international marketers, 43% viewed the world economy as growing in the third quarter, similar to the 45% reported last quarter. Only 16% believed it was declining, and 41% felt it was unchanged.
The projected average growth rate for own-company revenue over the next 12 months is 5%, down from last quarter's rise to 6% but within the range expected during a stable economy. Seventy percent expect positive revenue growth for their own companies, with 18% forecasting double-digit growth and 52% forecasting single-digit growth. As a further indication of growth, calendar year own-company forecasts rose sharply to a 4.% growth rate, from 1.7% in the prior quarter.
"The overarching theme of uncertainty in this quarter's findings definitely indicates that industrial manufacturers are approaching spending and overall business decisions in a cautious and conservative manner, certainly in the short-term," said Barry Misthal, U.S. industrial manufacturing leader for PwC. "It will be interesting to watch how this impacts the market over the long term."
International sales showed improvement in the third quarter of 2010 for U.S.-based industrial manufacturers selling abroad, with 44% reporting an increase in sales, and only 10% reporting a decrease. Additionally, of respondents marketing abroad, the projected contribution of international sales to total revenue over the next 12 months held steady relative to the prior quarter at 36%.
For the third straight quarter, legislative/regulatory pressures ranked highest among perceived barriers to growth over the next 12 months, rising 14 points to 77%. Those concerned about lack of demand demonstrated a noticeable drop in the second quarter but bounced back 12 points to 62 % in Q3, on par with the first quarter.
Taxation policies remained a commonly cited barrier at 60%.
Concern about competition from foreign markets rose noticeably from 35% to 43% and, although still relatively low, concern about oil/energy prices increased 9 points to 32%.
Over the next 12 months, 42% of panelists plan to add employees to their workforce, down 5 points from last quarter. However, only 8% plan to reduce the number of full-time equivalent employees, and 50% expect to stay the same. The net workforce projection is plus 0.4%, down from 1.8% in Q2 2010. Of the 42% planning to hire, the most sought-after employees will be production workers, skilled labor and professionals/technicians.
Eighty-five percent of respondents plan to increase operational spending over the next 12 months, up 5 points from last quarter. Among increased expenditures, new product or service introductions (47%) and business acquisitions (43% lead the way. Also on the rise are research and development (42%), geographic expansion (33%), and information technology (28 percent).
The number of panelists planning major new investments of capital during the next 12 months rose 10 points to 43% in Q3 2010, but they plan to spend at a lower rate -- a mean investment of 5.3% of total sales compared to last quarter's 7%.
The projected average growth rate for own-company revenue over the next 12 months is 5%, down from last quarter's rise to 6% but within the range expected during a stable economy. Seventy percent expect positive revenue growth for their own companies, with 18% forecasting double-digit growth and 52% forecasting single-digit growth. As a further indication of growth, calendar year own-company forecasts rose sharply to a 4.% growth rate, from 1.7% in the prior quarter.
Gross margins saw a 10-point improvement in Q3 2010, up for 32% of panelists and lower for 15%, for a net plus 17%. Net costs were up for 23% and lower for 17%, for a net plus 6 percent. Similarly, on the pricing side, prices were up for 25% and down for 18%, for a net plus 7%.
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