Survey: Manufacturers Indicate Increased Optimism for 2018 - Planning for Potential and Seizing Opportunity is Critical

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Leading Edge Alliance

Jan 23, 2018, 14:40 ET


CHICAGO, Illinois (PRWEB) January 23, 2018 -- Most manufacturers think 2018 is going to be a better year than the last one. That's according to the results from the 2018 Leading Edge Alliance (LEA) National Manufacturing Outlook Survey.

Optimism is high, as manufacturer's responses indicated they have a more positive outlook about the economy for 2018 than in 2017. The growing U.S. and global economies, rising energy and commodity prices, and improved business and consumer confidence support this positive outlook.

More than 450 manufacturing executives participated in the survey, which includes the opinions of respondents who produce industrial/machining, transportation/automotive, construction, food and beverage, and other products.

Survey results for 2018 include:

  • 81 percent of manufacturers believe their revenue will increase in 2018, with 72 percent eyeing organic growth in the U.S. as their primary opportunity to increase sales.
  • Manufacturers are more optimistic about the regional and national economy than the global economy; yet, notably, the optimism rating for all three has increased by more than 10 points since the 2017 outlook.
  • 62 percent of manufacturers expect their sectors to grow, more than doubling the 2017 outlook; food and beverage and construction materials cite the highest optimism for sector growth.
  • Manufacturers' top three priorities are growing sales, cutting costs, and addressing the talent gap.

Despite the improved outlook, hurdles remain.

  • As in past years, labor remains a significant challenge. More than half of survey participants cited the labor shortage as the greatest risk or barrier to growth, and more than half of manufacturers expect to increase hiring.
  • Respondents plan to utilize technology to reduce risks and build a competitive advantage; 75 percent said that they will investigate/prioritize cybersecurity in 2018, and 50 percent will investigate/prioritize Big Data/ERP/IoT.

The dichotomy of growing sales while cutting costs may also present a challenge. Through all the potential changes, working with a team of industry-experienced advisors to provide insight and answers continues to be critically important.

To view the full survey results, visit http://www.leaglobal.com. For more information, please contact Karen Kehl-Rose at karen.kehl-rose(at)leaglobal(dot)com or +1 630-513-9814.

About LEA
Founded in 1999, LEA Global/The Leading Edge Alliance is the second largest international association in the world, creating a high-quality alliance of 220 independently owned accounting and consulting firms focused on accounting, financial, and business advisory services. LEA Global firms operate in 110 countries, giving clients of LEA Global firms access to the knowledge, skills, and experience of 2,321 partners and 24,000 staff members.

LEA Global firms' combined annual revenue totals more than $3 billion. Members stand out as leaders in their markets, with firms ranking in the top tiers throughout all regions of the world. In the U.S., more LEA Global firms are in the top 100 than any other association or network.

Karen Kehl-Rose, Leading Edge Alliance, https://leaglobal.com/, +1 +1 630-513-9814, [email protected]