2021 Marcum National Manufacturing Survey

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15| At a very high level, what are your company’s TOP THREE business strategies? (Please rank order them – 1 being highest, 3 being lowest)

10| In the next 12 months, does your company expect to increase or decrease the size of its workforce, or will it stay the same? 

1(Highest)

2

3(Lowest)

Increase (by 10% or more) Decrease (by 5% – 10%)

53.85% 10.26% 35.90%

Product/service expansion and innovation 55.88% 29.41%

14.71%

Stay about the same

Geographic expansion

15.79% 42.11% 42.11%

11| Looking ahead four years (2021-2024), what percentage of your employees will need to be replaced due to retirement?  

Expand through acquisition

25.00% 15.00% 60.00% Compete on price 36.36% 27.27% 36.36% Offer/introduce/expand customized/specialized manufacturing 25.93% 48.15% 25.93% 16| Which of the following actions are among your company’s top priorities:  

0% – 5%

53.85% 30.77% 15.38%

6% – 15% 16% – 25% 26% – 30%

0.00% 0.00%

>30%

12| Excluding PPP loans, over the past year, has your ability to secure financing:  

Seeking M&A opportunities Supply chain diversification

19.44% 22.22% 47.22% 58.33% 50.00% 44.44% 72.22%

Investing in technology

Increased Decreased

25.64%

Cutting costs

5.13%

Increasing the use of technology in your company (Industry 4.0/digitalization)

Stayed the same

69.23%

Entering new markets

13| Looking ahead over the next 12 months, do you expect your ability to secure financing to:  

Recruiting skilled workers

17| What is your strategy for the adoption of automation?  We use automation to drive greater efficiencies and reduce costs. 47.22% We use automation to fill gaps or increase capacity. 16.67% We use automation to create competitive advantage. 16.67% We have very little automation/not applicable. 13.89% Other (please specify) 5.56%

Increase Decrease

38.46%

2.56%

Stay the same

58.97%

14| Rate your outlook for the manufacturing industry in the coming year:  

Very positive

41.03% 35.90% 17.95%

Somewhat positive

Neutral

Somewhat negative

2.56% 2.56%

Very negative