According to the latest National Association of Manufacturers/IndustryWeek survey, 88.5 percent of manufacturers said that they were either somewhat or very optimistic about their own company’s outlook.
Among the survey respondents, medium-sized manufacturers (those with between 50 and 499 employees) were the most positive, with 91 percent having a positive outlook. Larger manufacturers (those with 500 or more employees) were the least positive, with 83.7 percent feeling positive.
The survey attributed momentum and cautious optimism for 2015 to the improvement of manufacturing demand and output throughout the course of 2014.
Other key results from the survey included:
- Manufacturing production should continue to accelerate.
- Nearly nine out of 10 manufacturing executives are optimistic about their company’s 2015 outlook.
- Fewer manufacturers expect export sales to rise.
- Manufacturers continue to be frustrated with the political environment.
- The majority of owners of family businesses oppose estate tax changes.
The NAM/IndustryWeek Survey of Manufacturers was conducted among the NAM’s membership of small, medium and large manufacturers. Click here for the full survey results.
