Midwest manufacturers anticipate that their businesses will expand and increase in value during 2004, according to the 2003 Midwest Manufacturer's Survey. The results were released on Jan. 20, and the survey was conducted jointly by the Manufacturing and Distribution Group of Rubin, Brown, Gornstein & Co. LLP (RBG&Co.) and the Corporate Finance Department of A.G. Edwards. Both companies are based in St. Louis, and it is the first joint project of its kind between these two firms.
More than 78% of respondents said they expect to acquire another product line or business during the next 12 months, while 61% said they expect the value of their business to increase over the same timeframe. Almost 26% are predicting that their value will remain constant, and 13% said they expect the value of their businesses to decrease in 2004.
Survey results were obtained using a questionnaire that was sent to manufacturing firms throughout the Midwest. Results reflect the opinions of more than 60 manufacturers.