Global Manufacturing Execs Put Growth at the Top of the Agenda, Despite Macroeconomic Risk and Volatility: KPMG Survey

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Large global manufacturers are setting their sights on top-line growth over the next two years,  fueled by new products, strategic acquisitions and alliances, innovation and increasing production capacity in high-growth markets. Bolstering the growth agenda are stronger investments in supply chain risk management to mitigate the impact of continued market volatility, according to KPMG's 2011 Global Manufacturing Outlook.

The KPMG annual survey* of 220 manufacturing executives, including 61 in the U.S., from global companies with at least US$1 billion in revenue, found that businesses are cautiously optimistic on near term prospects   and are shifting from their previous  emphasis on cost containment to a focus on top-line growth as a priority in the next two years.  

Looking at their top priorities, 26 percent of the U.S. executives say they will focus on top-line growth, followed by 13 percent saying R&D/innovation, and 12 percent indicating customer relationships.  Over the past two years, U.S. executives were most focused on cost containment, followed by customer relationships and process efficiencies/shared services. Seventy-nine percent of U.S. respondents were either very optimistic or optimistic about their company's business outlook for the next two years.

"Today, we're seeing that despite an increasing set of cost challenges, manufacturers are realigning their business models to prioritize top-line growth," said Jeff Dobbs, KPMG's global head of Diversified Industrials and a partner in the U.S. firm. "Companies have learned they can survive the challenges of economic uncertainty, political instability, and historic natural disasters  with lean agile operating structures, enhanced risk management practices, and a focus on innovation."

Strategic Acquisitions, Investments in Production Capacity, and Innovation

In pressing ahead on the growth track, 39 percent of global respondents say they will grow through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures and alliances; and 30 percent through increased production capacity, mainly in high-growth markets. U.S. respondents cite increased production capacity (36%), M&A, joint ventures and strategic alliances (31%), research and development (23%), and new sales offices (10%) as approaches to achieving growth for their companies.

"Many companies emerged from the 2008-2010 downturn with significantly reduced cost structures, more cash and liquidity, and a laser focus on their customers and markets.  These 'survivors' have the mindset and strategy to define the standard of success in the next five years," according to KPMG's Dobbs.

When asked to compare the primary focus areas of their growth strategies in the next two years with the two previous years, the survey revealed a marked shift in focus: 56 percent of manufacturers globally are planning to sell new products in new and existing markets over the next two years, up from 37 percent.

As to where demand is expected, the U.S. ranks as the top market, closely followed by China, then India, with Brazil and Germany rounding out the top five. Slightly more than half see emerging markets as key to their growth strategies.

Price volatility of raw materials and inputs remains the biggest challenge for 44 percent of executives, followed by increased competition and pricing pressure, and uncertain demand.   In the U.S., price volatility on key cost inputs, uncertain demand, and intense competition and pressure on pricing were seen as the top three challenges.

Grooming Supply Chains for Growth

To better manage volatility, 56 percent of manufacturers say they are reshaping their supply chain models. Standardization is one of the key strategies – 55 percent of manufacturers plan to standardize their production process while 45 percent will require standardized inputs.  Further, just over 40 percent said they will focus on cost reduction through a shortening of the overall product development life cycle.

Nearly half of respondents say they will invest in technology to improve visibility across the supply chain, the single most important tool for managing risk. Other measures include helping suppliers develop risk management standards and assessing supply chain processes.    

Monitoring where manufacturers are sourcing key components in this year's survey shows that China remains the leading sourcing destination, with the US second, followed by India, the UK and Brazil.

*About the 2011 Global Manufacturing Outlook

KPMG International commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit to survey 220 senior manufacturing executives responsible for, or significantly involved in, finance, supply chain, procurement or strategic development. Respondents represent the aerospace and defence, metals, engineering and industrial products sectors, including industrial conglomerates. All participants represent companies with more than US$1 billion in annual revenue; 40 percent hail from organizations with more than US$10 billion in revenue. Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents are C-suite executives or board members. They are geographically split between Western Europe (31 percent), North America (30 percent) and Asia-Pacific (25 percent), with the remainder coming from the rest of the world.

About KPMG International

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 150 countries and have 138,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.

About the Economist Intelligence Unit

The Economist Intelligence Unit is the business information arm of The Economist Group, publisher of The Economist. Through its global network of more than 650 analysts and contributors, the Economist Intelligence Unit continuously assesses and forecasts political, economic and business conditions in more than 200 countries. As the world's leading provider of country intelligence, it helps executives make better business decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies.

SOURCE KPMG LLP

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED