ufacturers that had the strongest anticipated employ- ment growth for 2021, at 1.9 percent,with larger firms predicting hiring growth of 1.6 percent. • Employee Wages :Respondents anticipate employ- ee wages (excluding nonwage compensation, such as benefits) to rise 1.9 percent over the next 12 months, up from 1.4 percent in the previous survey and the strongest figure since the first quarter, which was 2.1 percent. Nearly 28 percent see wages rising 3 percent or more, with 51.8 percent predicting an increase of up to 3 percent. • Capital Investments : Capital spending was also the best since the first quarter (pre-pandemic), with respondents anticipating an average increase of 1.5 percent over the next 12 months, up from 0.7 percent in the third quarter. In this survey, 41.6 percent ex- pect additional capital spending in the next year, with 39.8 percent expecting no change and 18.6 percent forecasting reduced capital expenditures. By firm size, small, medium and large manufacturers see capital spending increasing 1.0 percent, 1.3 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively. • Exports :Respondents expect exports to increase 0.8 percent over the next 12 months,up from 0.4 percent in the previous survey and the best reading since the first quarter of 2019. Nearly 31 percent anticipate higher ex- ports in 2021,with 60.6 percent seeing no changes. • Product Prices :Respondents expect product pric- es to increase 2.1 percent over the next 12 months, up from 1.3 percent in the prior survey.This suggests that pricing power has stabilized since experiencing defla- tionary pressures in the spring. Overall, 58.5 percent anticipate increased product prices over the coming year, with 35.4 percent seeing no changes. • Raw Material Prices : Manufacturers anticipate raw material prices and other input costs rising 3.3 percent over the next 12 months, up from 2.2 percent in the previous release and a two-year high. Almost 76 percent of respondents cited higher raw material costs, including 26.5 percent feeling that input prices would rise at least 5 percent. • Inventories : After six consecutive quarters with expected declines, respondents anticipate inventories will rise by 0.6 percent over the next 12 months.More than 30% of manufacturers anticipate increased inven- tories in 2021, with 20.2 percent expecting decreases and 49.7 percent seeing no changes. • Health Insurance Costs : Manufacturers predict health insurance costs will rise 6.4 percent over the next 12 months, up from 5.8 percent in the previous survey and the fastest pace since the second quarter of 2019. Manufacturing Report (Cont’d from Page 10)
Flexo Market News
Eaglewood Technologies, LLC www.eaglewoodtech.com
Eaglewood Technologies provides the award-winning Sitexco Laser Systems, Sanilox ™ Systems and Sani- Blast ™ Mobile Service. Sitexco Laser Systems are the latest technology in anilox roll cleaning and are perfect for packaging and label printers. Sanilox ™ Systems are the global standard of reliable, environmentally safe anilox roll cleaning. Sani-Blast ™ cleaning service has been cleaning rolls for over 20 years and offer several cleaning options to minimize downtime. Flint Group www.flintgrp.com Flint Group Flexographic Products develops, man- ufacturers and markets an extensive portfolio of printing consumables, including: nyloflex ® photopoly- mer printing plates and processing equipment, and dayCorr ® die-cutting blankets and anvil covers. With a strong customer focus, unmatched service and support, and superior products, Flint Group strives to provide exceptional value, consistent quality and continuous innovation to customers around the world. Harper Corporation of America www.harperimage.com We’ve made ceramic anilox rolls longer than any- one in the world and pride ourselves on being the best in the world. Whether wide web, narrow web, newspaper, or corrugated markets, Harper continu- ously strives to bring new flexographic products and services to the printing industry that will improve the
quality of your graphics. J I MacWilliam Co., Inc. www.jimacwilliam.com
Used equipment for flexible packaging, folding carton, paper, film, foil and non-woven industries. Professional, knowledgeable service for more than 30 years.
KBA-Flexotecnica – Get the Edge www.kba-flexotecnica.com/en/
Flexotecnica’s patented Safe Sleeve Change ® system and Speedy Clean ® auto washup system are designed to give converters a competitive edge through Flexotecnica’s commitment to research and development. Sales, service and support for Flexo- tecnica presses is provided by KBA North America, Inc. in Dallas, Texas with U.S. resident technicians, an extensive spare parts inventory and an experi- enced, dedicated service staff.
12 January 4, 2021 Flexo Market News
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