AMR Research and National Association of Manufacturers Reveal That 25% of U.S. Manufacturers Will Shift a Third of Production Overseas If Conditions Persist
Posted on: Tuesday, 8 May 2007, 09:00 CDT
BOSTON, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A looming U.S. manufacturing crisis poses a threat to the U.S. economy and national security, according to a new report released today by AMR Research, the National Association of Manufacturers, and its Manufacturing Institute. The report reveals that as a result of the increase in the cost and availability of chemicals -- a vital raw material for most manufacturers -- 25% of U.S. manufacturers will move some production overseas if current conditions persist. Across all companies that plan to move production offshore, the average amount of production shifted will be 32%.
The report titled, "The Hidden Backbone of U.S. Manufacturing," is based on findings from a survey of 165 U.S. manufacturing companies ranging in size from 100 employees to more than 50,000. The report notes that in a global economy, big cost increases in any local or regional commodity, like chemicals, can make it difficult to manufacture profitably from a U.S. base because competition from overseas makes it nearly impossible to pass those cost increases on to customers. For large companies this problem can be solved by moving production offshore or at least sourcing from offshore suppliers. For smaller companies it may not be so easy.
Chemicals are often a misunderstood input into most of the products used in the U.S. each day -- from diapers and crayons to computers and pharmaceuticals. 90% of manufacturers surveyed see the cost of materials sourced from the chemical industry increasing. The impact of rising costs is severe given that most manufacturers depend on chemicals for some form of production and, as a raw material expense, chemical costs are a key driver of profitability. In fact, 55% overall have significant, direct dependence for production and 73% of food, medicine, and other process manufacturing operations rely on chemicals.
"The most immediate and obvious risk is to the resilience and competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, and with it millions of jobs and domestic production. But less obvious, and more troubling, is the consequence of an over reliance on offshore suppliers -- our inability to respond effectively to a national crisis such as an earthquake, pandemic, or terrorist attack," said Kevin O'Marah, senior vice president at AMR Research and co-author of the report.
The report adds that there is little alternative for manufacturers as 50% say that materials sourced from the chemical industry are impossible to replace and a remaining 40% add that alternatives are available but at a far greater cost. As chemical inputs are both difficult to replace and invisible to consumers, margin pressures on U.S. based manufacturing are severe.
"Chemicals are a critical link in the supply chain for two-thirds of U.S. manufacturers, but America's chemical industry is threatened by rising domestic natural gas costs. At stake is not only the future health of chemical manufacturing firms, but also the thousands of companies that use their chemicals to make everything from crayons to computers. America needs a robust energy strategy to ensure affordable supplies, future development and greater efficiency," said NAM President and CEO John Engler.
For more information on this report please visit http://www.amrresearch.com/ or contact Kevin Reilly at kreilly@amrresearch.com.
About AMR Research:
Research and Advice that Matters: AMR Research is the No. 1 advisory firm focused on supply chain, enterprise applications, and infrastructure. Founded in 1986, AMR Research provides advisory services and peer networking opportunities to supply chain and technology professionals in the manufacturing and retail sectors. To learn more about our research and services, visit http://www.amrresearch.com/.
Press Contact: Kevin Reilly kreilly@amrresearch.com 617-350-1745
AMR Research
CONTACT: Kevin Reilly of AMR Research, +1-617-350-1745,kreilly@amrresearch.com
Web site: http://www.amrresearch.com/
Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire
Related Articles
- UL Environment Validation and Certification Helps Manufacturers Achieve NAHB Research Center 'Green Approved' Product Seal
- RetireSafe Salutes Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America for Its Commitment to Cut Drug Prices and Help Seniors in the Medicare 'Doughnut-Hole'
- New Gold Announces Third Quarter Production Results and Cash Cost in Line With Annual Guidance
- Approach Resources Inc. Provides Production Update Following Hurricane Ike; Company Lowers 2008 Production Growth Forecast As a Result of Shut-Ins
- 2006 Market Research 'Super Concentrates of Polymer Dyes Market Research' Provides Information on Product Range, R&D Activities, Manufacturers, Suppliers and Consumers
- Manufacturers Agree to Phase Out Nonstick Chemical
- China's Economic Efficiency Indicators: Raw Chemical Materials, Chemicals
- To Hold Down Costs, Companies Are Offering High-Deductible Health- Care Plans
- Research and Markets: Electronics Waste: Electronics Recycling Directives Changing the Way Manufacturers Design Their Products
- IBM and MSC.Software Form Global Strategic Alliance to Help Industrial Manufacturing Customers Improve Product Development
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds