Barbara Jorgensen - US Buyers Optimistic for 2012

US Buyers Optimistic for 2012.

The general outlook by US purchasing professionals has turned the tide, according to a recent survey, and optimism should prevail for the remainder of 2012. Prime Advantage, a buying consortium for small and midsized manufacturers based in the US, said 88 percent of members plan to make the same or higher capital investments in 2012 than in 2011. More than half (56 percent) plan to increase staffing, and 72 expect their revenue to increase. "The results at first glance are very similar to 2011 in that hiring and revenue are expected to go up," Mike McDonald, vice president of new business relationships for Prime Advantage, told us in a phone interview. "But we've seen a shift in what our members view as concerns." The cost of raw materials was the top overall concern for 51 percent of respondents, the survey found. By comparison, 66 percent called this their top overall co...

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