A Plante & Moran Manufacturing Industry Survey
Survey Report: The New Normal – Cliché or Reality
The recession that was felt at the end of 2008 and throughout 2009 caused many companies to re-evaluate their organizational structure, capital requirements and business plans. Companies cut employment, salaries and benefits, deferred discretionary expenses, and cut capital spending to save cash. The question that remained was whether the pending economic recovery will restore these cuts to the old levels or whether a "New Normal" had been established.
In early 2010, Plante & Moran surveyed more than 170 executives from middle market manufacturers across the country. Survey respondents were asked to classify their organizations’ performance in four areas: sales growth and recovery, human capital, continued cost reductions, and credit management. In April 2010, Plante & Moran released its survey report, revealing some interesting findings.