December 13, 2004—Most UK M&E firms are in an upbeat mood about sales prospects for the early months of 2005, though some worry about what will happen after that, according to new figures from the UKs Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
In its latest quarterly report, the institute found that 37% of the companies questioned predicted a boost in sales over the next three months and 25% predicted a rise in manufacturing capacity. On the negative side, 33.5% expressed fears that the economy will worsen.
Further warning signs come from employment statistics. 34% of the companies said their employee numbers had fallen in the last three months, and almost the same number said they could fall again.
Reprinted with permission; copyright 2004 i-FM
