NAM/IndustryWeek 2013 Q2 Survey Responses

NAM/IndustryWeek 2013 Q2 Survey Responses

1. How would you characterize the business outlook for your firm right now?

1. Very positive—11.7%
2. Somewhat positive—60.6%
3. Somewhat negative—24.4%
4. Very negative—3.2%

2. Over the next year, what do you expect to happen with your company’s sales?

1. Increase more than 10 %—12.0%
2. Increase 5 to 10 %—21.1%
3. Increase up to 5 %—29.0%
4. Stay about the same—22.7%
5. Decrease up to 5 %—7.9%
6. Decrease 5 to 10 %—4.1%
7. Decrease more than 10 %—3.2%

Average expected increase in sales consistent with these responses = 2.7%

3. Over the next year, what do you expect to happen with prices on your company’s overall product line?

1. Increase more than 10 %—1.3%
2. Increase 5 to 10 %—6.6%
3. Increase up to 5 %—31.2%
4. Stay about the same—53.0%
5. Decrease up to 5 %—5.7%
6. Decrease 5 to 10 %—1.3%
7. Decrease more than 10 %—0.9%

Average expected increase in prices consistent with these responses = 1.1%

4. Over the next year, what are your company’s capital investment plans?

1. Increase more than 10 %—11.4%
2. Increase 5 to 10 %—8.2%
3. Increase up to 5 %—15.5%
4. Stay about the same—50.2%
5. Decrease up to 5 %—5.7%
6. Decrease 5 to 10 %—2.8%
7. Decrease more than 10 %—6.3%

Average expected increase in investment consistent with these responses = 1.2%

5. Over the next year, what are your plans for inventories?

1. Increase more than 10 %—1.6%
2. Increase 5 to 10 %—5.1%
3. Increase up to 5 %—13.0%
4. Stay about the same—53.3%
5. Decrease up to 5 %—18.1%
6. Decrease 5 to 10 %—5.7%
7. Decrease more than 10 %—3.2%

Average expected increase in inventories consistent with these responses = -0.3%

6. Over the next year, what do you expect in terms of full-time employment in your company?

1. Increase more than 10 %—3.2%
2. Increase 5 to 10 %—5.1%
3. Increase up to 5 %—24.2%
4. Stay about the same—51.6%
5. Decrease up to 5 %—10.8%
6. Decrease 5 to 10 %—3.5%
7. Decrease more than 10 %—1.6%

Average expected increase in full-time employment consistent with these responses = 0.6%

7. Over the next year, what do you expect to happen to employee wages (excluding non-wage compensation such as benefits) in your company?

1. Increase more than 5 %—2.5%
2. Increase 3 to 5 %—12.7%
3. Increase up to 3 %—65.9%
4. Stay about the same—17.8%
5. Decrease up to 3 %—0.3%
6. Decrease 3 to 5 %—none
7. Decrease more than 5 %—0.6%

Average expected increase in wages consistent with these responses = 1.6%

8. Over the next year, what do you expect to happen with the level of exports from your company?

1. Increase more than 5 %—12.6%
2. Increase 3 to 5 %—12.6%
3. Increase up to 3 %—16.5%
4. Stay about the same—53.2%
5. Decrease up to 3 %—2.6%
6. Decrease 3 to 5 %—0.3%
7. Decrease more than 5 %—2.3%

Average expected increase in exports consistent with these responses = 1.2%

9. What are the primary drivers of your company’s future growth strategies?

(Respondents were able to check more than oneresponse; therefore, responses exceed 100%.)

1. Increased efficiencies in the production process—50.6%
2. Increased international sales—39.7%
3. New product development—55.2%
4. Recent mergers or acquisitions—12.6%
5. Stronger domestic economy, sales of our products—66.8%

10. What are the biggest challenges you are facing right now?

(Respondents were able to check more than one response; therefore, responses exceed 100%.)

1. Attracting and retaining a quality workforce—42.0%
2. Challenges with access to capital or other forms of financing—6.4%
3. Rising energy and raw material costs for our products—31.5%
4. Rising health care/insurance costs—82.2%
5. Uncertainties related to the political climate—66.9%
6. Unfavorable business climate (e.g., taxes, regulation)—66.9%
7. Weaker domestic economy and sales for our products to U.S. customers—50.3%
8. Weaker global growth and slower export sales—27.4%

11. What is your company’s primary industrial classification?

1. Apparel and allied products—0.3%
2. Beverages and tobacco products—none
3. Chemicals—6.3%
4. Computer and electronic products—1.9%
5. Electrical equipment and appliances—5.1%
6. Food manufacturing—3.2%
7. Furniture and related products—0.6%
8. Leather and allied products—none
9. Machinery—13.3%
10. Miscellaneous manufacturing—15.8%
11. Nonmetallic mineral products—1.3%
12. Paper and paper products—2.5%
13. Petroleum and coal products—0.6%
14. Plastics and rubber products—6.6%
15. Primary metals or fabricated metal products—31.3%
16. Printing and related activities—0.6%
17. Textile mills or textile products—2.2%
18. Transportation equipment—4.4%
19. Wood products—3.8%

12. What is the size of your firm (e.g., the parent company, not your establishment)?

1. Fewer than 50 employees—24.4%
2. 50 to 499 employees—54.3%
3. 500 or more employees—21.3%