isory Service (MAS) Barometer to be pretty good.
This report fell into my Inbox this morning and it makes interesting reading. The bottom line is that nearly two thirds (64%) of those companies surveyed are expecting sales to increase over the next six months. The lady on the right is Lorraine Holmes, area director for MAS in the North and West.
But it definitely isn't easy out there. The survey reveals that there are a number of barriers that are preventing manufacturers from fully exploiting all available opportunities. Two of these barriers are poor profit margins and adherence to leadtimes - suggesting unrealistic customer expectations. Pressure is definitely being felt all the way down the supply chain but companies seem to see investment in capital equipment and staff as an effective way of offsetting the inherent challenges - which is a good thing.
Take a look at MAS' barometer survey and let me know if you agree with its findings. What's encouraging from my perspective is that the UK's manufacturing companies are meeting their challenges head on and are continuing to invest when the easy option would be to simply do nothing. No pain no gain as they say!