Among the findings of the survey:

"¢ Ninety-seven percent of respondents reported they expect revenues to be better than or equal to the first half of 2013. Forty-two percent anticipate revenue growth will be higher in 2H 2013 than in 1H 2013.

"¢ The level of capital expenditures is expected to increase at 1 out of 3 companies in the second half of 2013.

"¢ Forty-seven percent of companies expect to hire in the next six months and fewer than 3 percent are planning layoffs.

"¢ Concern about upward cost pressure on raw materials has declined sharply from previous periods, (63 percent of respondents expressed concern, down from 90 percent in February 2013).

"¢ The majority of respondents (62 percent) believe fiscal policy uncertainties have had a negative impact on their business and the overall economy.

Strong revenues and stable capital spending for the rest of 2013

Forty-two percent of small and mid-sized manufacturers anticipate revenues will increase in the second half of 2013. A surge in customer demand (55 percent) and launch of new product lines (48 percent) were most often cited as the reasons for the expected increase.

Capital expenditures are holding strong for U.S. manufacturers, as 1 in 3 companies is planning an increase in capital expenditures in the next six months.

Strong hiring in manufacturing

A record number (47 percent) of small and mid-sized manufacturers expect to hire in the next six months. This result is the highest level seen in these second half surveys since the start of recession (up from 39 percent in 2012 and 36 percent in 2011). Meanwhile, less than 3 percent of respondents predict layoffs by year end.

Top concerns: raw materials concern weakens, healthcare cost pressure aggravates

Procurement professionals continue to cite the cost of raw materials as their top area of focus, but to a lesser degree than seen in prior surveys. Focusing on procurement processes was the second-most frequently cited concern, followed by the cost of baseline materials for components, such as oil and gas.

When asked about which areas of cost pressure respondents are most concerned about, raw materials once again received the most votes, but at the lowest level ever surveyed (63 percent, down from 90 percent in February 2013). Healthcare cost pressures remain a strong concern, as indicated by 61 percent of respondents (up from 57 percent in February 2013 and 58 percent a year ago).

Manufacturers feel pressure from fiscal policy uncertainties

The majority of small and mid-sized manufacturers (62 percent) felt that fiscal policy uncertainties were negatively impacting their business and the overall economy. Most respondents (58 percent) anticipate the negative impact to continue into the next 12 months.

Legislative and regulatory pressures may halt business growth

Survey respondents identified the top barriers to business growth over the next 12 months: legislative and regulatory pressures (47 percent); oil and energy pricing (39 percent) and lack of qualified workers (32 percent).

As the Conflict Minerals Rule, an SEC regulation that requires companies to disclose whether conflict minerals are used in their products, is about to come in effect in May 2014, 15 percent of respondents are already feeling the impact of this rule on their organization. Another 40 percent of respondents are not yet sure if their company will be affected.

"Our members continue to experience healthy growth in their businesses, as is evident from their projections for the second half of the year," said Louise O'Sullivan, founder, president and CEO of Prime Advantage. "We are focused on ensuring not only that members have the best partners possible from a supply chain perspective, but also in providing tools to minimize supply chain risk and maximize innovation, collaboration, and best practices."

Methodology: In August 2013, Prime Advantage surveyed purchasing professionals that represent durable goods manufacturing firms, with annual revenues ranging between $10m and $4bn, of which the majority ranges between $20m and $500m. The survey received a 16 percent response rate from 490 top professionals representing U.S.-based manufacturers in more than 25 different industries, including commercial foodservice, packaging, truck and trailer, material handling, food processing and construction. Prime Advantage has polled its membership for their impressions of current economic conditions on a semi-annual basis since February 2008.

To request a copy of the Prime Advantage 2013 2H Group Outlook Survey click here.

Source: Prime Advantage