CNBC (3/28, Gewirtz) reported, “In another sign the American economy is on the comeback trail, a new survey from KPMG shows optimism is improving among US manufacturing and service industry executives.” The survey found that “68 percent of manufacturing executives believe business activity will be higher in the next 12 months,” a gain of 11 percent from October of last year. And “41 percent of those same executives say they plan to hire more in the weeks and months ahead,” up from 28 percent in the same time period.
The Ecommerce Journal (3/29) reports, “In terms of revenue 65% of manufacturers surveyed by KPMG expect revenues to rise in the next year. ‘American manufacturing is on the rise because companies are rebalancing, and it is pretty clear demand is picking up nationwide,’ said Lynne Doughtie, KPMG’s National Managing Partner for Advisory Services.”
Manufacturing Economic Activity At Highest Level Since 2004. The Boston Business Journal (3/28) reported in its “BBJ Morning Buzz” blog, “The manufacturing sector singularly contracted over the past several decades,” a contraction that was hastened by the recession. But now “a number of area manufacturing firms are sporting some new faces on their floors as the sector undergoes something of a recovery.” According to a recent article in the Sun Chronicle, “The Manufacturing Institute for Supply Management reported that nationally, economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in February for the 19th consecutive month and reached its highest level since May 2004.”
From SME Daily Executive Briefing 3/29/2011