Nearly six in 10 senior manufacturing executives (57%) have a positive outlook for the US economy over the next six months, but more than half (51%) have a slightly more pessimistic outlook for the manufacturing sector. Over the next six months, 70% of manufacturers expect to keep staffing levels the same.
About half (49%) of the executives expect their company’s performance to decline with 12% (disproportionably small businesses) reporting their company is in danger of failing. Customer demand is cited as the top growth challenge, followed by access to loans and credit, over the next 12 months.