Survey: Manufacturing COOs Foresee Better Times

ByJohn S. McClenahen A solid majority -- 63% -- of manufacturing company COOs believe that their companies will be in an even better position a year from now, according to a Deloitte & Touche LLC survey. And, reflecting the pace of globalization, 64% of the COOS say that a significant portion of their companies' revenue growth will come from entry into new geographical markets. The manufacturing executives were part of a summer 2003 survey of more than 600 COOs in 16 countries and six major industry groups, including manufacturing. Some 30% of the executives are in companies with annual revenues of more than $1 billion. Of the overall global group, 62% expect their companies to post better business results in 2004 than this year, with COOs in the U.S. the most optimistic about economic growth. Some 79% foresee economic advance during the next year.