Partnering for Growth: Tap into the Power of Your Supply Chain
Small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMEs) have a secret weapon: it is easier for them to partner for growth by tapping into the power of their supply chain
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01, 2017
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12, 2014
Manufacturing Performance
A year ago, manufacturing executives expected that their 2012 plant sales would increase by 9% (median) and 10.5% (average), according the 2011 MPI Manufacturing Study.[1] Those projections may yet turn out to be true given recent U.S. Department of Commerce data. Despite a modest drop in value of manufacturing shipments from May to June this year, the value of all manufacturing shipments year-to-date rose 5.8% across all industries vs. 2011 (not seasonally adjusted).[2] Both durable goods and non-durable goods shipments posted year-to-date increases, 9.1% and 3%, respectively. Primary metals lead the durable goods sector with a 20.9% increase; plastics and [...]
13
12, 2014
Investing for the Future
With the year half over, many organizations are reevaluating their investment plans. Are sales strong enough to justify new equipment or information technology? Will continuing uncertainty in Europe temper enthusiasm for new commitments? At times like this, it’s helpful to know what competitors are thinking. U.S. and international manufacturing plant executives reported 2011 spending on capital equipment at 5% of sales (median) and 8.7% (average); spending on information technology was 1% of sales (median) and 4.3% (average) in 2011. Perhaps more importantly, 42% of the plant executives reported that capital-equipment spending would increase in 2012; 37% of executives said [...]