Survey Reveals Middle Market Companies Struggling to Navigate Supply Chain Disruption, Labor Shortage Among Other Business Challenges and Risks

Two-thirds (67%) of middle market firms say they are faring much or somewhat better than they were prior to COVID-19, but evolving exposures remain a concern

News provided by

Chubb

Feb 23, 2022, 11:23 ET

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Feb. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Year-end 2021 data from Chubb and the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM), housed at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, reveals that middle market firms' optimistic economic outlook and continued recovery from the pandemic is tempered by concerns around navigating a complex risk landscape. According to Chubb and NCMM's 2021 Year-End Middle Market Indicator (MMI), more than a third (35%) of middle market firms rank increased risks among the top three most difficult aspects of running their business in the current environment.

"Business success and risk are inherently intertwined," said Ben Rockwell, Division President, Chubb Middle Market. "Middle market leaders have an opportunity to make risk management—from better understanding of their exposures to updating their risk mitigation strategies and insurance program—a priority, so they can support continued growth."

Supply chain challenges present a significant hurdle, with nearly half (47%) of middle market firms reporting that they have been directly impacted by supply chain disruptions or constraints in the prior six months. This challenge is amplified for certain industries, with the percentage increasing to 49% for middle market technology companies, 54% for middle market financial services companies and 59% for middle market manufacturers.

At the same time, the tight labor market is straining middle market companies' employees and hindering growth. Fifty-one percent of middle market firms say their company is extremely or very challenged by finding and hiring employees with the right skills for the jobs available. Slightly more than half (54%) of these companies struggling to hire say that, as a result, employees are working long hours and more shifts, and 32% have experienced a slowdown in productivity and sales.

To navigate these and other challenges, middle market leaders are leveraging their insurance agents' and brokers' expertise: Per the data, 89% rely on an insurance agent or broker to manage risk. As their needs evolve, middle market firms should continue to keep their agent or broker apprised of how their operations are changing, so they can adapt their risk management and insurance programs in lockstep and stay protected.

A more detailed overview of the findings can be downloaded in the executive summary here. Additional insights around supply chain, as well as snapshots of emerging trends among middle market technology, manufacturing, financial services, and life sciences companies are forthcoming.

About the Middle Market Indicator
The MMI, which was created in 2012, surveys 1,000 executives (CEOs, CFOs and other financial decision makers) from the middle market to examine topics related to business capabilities, performance, growth drivers and economic outlook among other topics. The 2021 Year-End MMI was fielded during December 2021. It is weighted to accurately reflect the size, industry-wide and geographic distribution of this sector, which includes companies ranging from $10 million to $1 billion in annual revenue. The survey is conducted by RTi Research on behalf of the National Center for the Middle Market.

About the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM)
The National Center for the Middle Market is a collaboration between The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, Chubb and Visa. It exists for a single purpose: to ensure that the vitality and robustness of middle market companies are fully realized as fundamental to our nation's economic outlook and prosperity. The center is the leading source of knowledge, leadership and innovative research on the middle market economy, providing critical data analysis and insights for companies, policymakers and other key stakeholders. NCMM is fully committed to funding and distributing the most credible open-sourced research, dynamically creating new knowledge, providing programs that drive value for middle market companies and offering a well-informed outlook on the health and future of the middle market via the Middle Market Indicator.

About Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, Paris, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

SOURCE Chubb