Small and Midsize Headaches: By The Numbers

March 9, 2008

Supply chain costs also rank high.

According to a study by industrial buying consortium Prime Advantage, raw materials and energy prices top the list of concerns in 2008 for small and midsize manufacturers:

46 percentage of respondents ranking raw materials costs as the biggest challenge

17.5 percent who say energy is the biggest challenge

16.4 percent worried about logistics and supply chain costs

8 percent concerned about inflation

4 percent mulling over labor costs

3.4 percent anxious about foreign competition

1.7 percent feeling sick about healthcare costs

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About the Author

Jonathan Katz | Former Managing Editor

Former Managing Editor Jon Katz covered leadership and strategy, tackling subjects such as lean manufacturing leadership, strategy development and deployment, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, and growth strategies. As well, he provided news and analysis of successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.

Jon worked as an intern for IndustryWeek before serving as a reporter for The Morning Journal and then as an associate editor for Penton Media’s Supply Chain Technology News.

Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kent State University and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan.