Manufacturing growth to continue
Economic growth is expected to continue in the United States throughout the remainder of 2012, according to the Institute for Supply Management's semiannual economic forecast.
Sixty-six percent of respondents from the panel of manufacturing supply management executives predict revenues will be 9.5 percent greater in 2012 compared to 2011, 15 percent expect a 12.1 percent decline, and 19 percent foresee no change. This yields an overall average expectation of 4.5 percent revenue growth among manufacturers in 2012, which is a modest reduction of 1 percentage point from December 2011 when the panel predicted a 5.5 percent increase in 2012 revenues.
With operating capacity at 81.6 percent, an expected capital expenditure increase of 6.2 percent, and prices paid expected to increase a modest 0.4 percent from now through the end of 2012, manufacturers are positioned to grow revenues and contain costs through the remainder of the year.
"With 16 out of 18 industries within the manufacturing sector predicting growth in 2012 over 2011, manufacturing continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience in the midst of global economic uncertainty and volatility. Capacity utilization is at historically typical levels and manufacturers are continuing to invest in their businesses. The positive forecast for revenue growth and modest price increases will drive a continuation of the recovery in the manufacturing sector," said Bradley J. Holcomb, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.
The 16 industries reporting expectations of growth in revenue for 2012 — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Machinery; Primary Metals; Petroleum & Coal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Transportation Equipment; Printing & Related Support Activities; Textile Mills; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Paper Products; and Fabricated Metal Products.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The May/June issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about GHX Industrial. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
