Data From Senior Executives Indicates Cautious Optimism, Varying Confidence Ratios, and Opportunities Across Market Segments and Geographic Areas
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, U.K. -- Jan. 29, 2013 -- The IABM (International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers) today released the results of the organization's renowned Industry Trends Survey, which reflects senior industry executives' opinions on their own companies' past performance and their outlook for the first half of the new year. This 2012-13 survey of executives from IABM member companies represents the 16th consecutive Industry Trends Survey. Key findings indicate cautious optimism, with growth still slowed by factors ranging from political and economic uncertainties to limited manufacturing and development capacity.
"Overall, the survey outcome is still positive, but the mood is much more sanguine than in the recent past," said IABM Director General Peter White. "While confidence is growing in many segments and geographic areas, this is not true for all IABM members, many of whom are now feeling the impact of wider political and economic conditions and are adjusting their operations accordingly."
The IABM Industry Trends Survey indicates that while order levels have remained as expected or fallen, selling prices and material and labor costs have remained generally stable. Order and project deferrals by customers are a primary operating constraint. Fulfillment is limited both by credit and finance issues, and by limited manufacturing capacity. Companies are, however, continuing to make significant investments in research and development.
At the same time, headcounts are increasing, most likely with the goal of tackling skill shortages. While confidence ratios are rising in the Asia-Pacific region and are stable in Europe, the most significant and striking change occurred in North America, where confidence ratios dropped to levels equal to and then, for the year ahead, lower than the global average.
Complete survey data and findings are available within the official IABM Industry Trends Survey, which is available only to the IABM members who provided survey responses. An executive summary is available to all IABM members, who may contact Lisa Ibbotson at lisa.ibbotson@theiabm.org for further information.
# # #
About the IABM:
The IABM, the International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers, is the authoritative voice of the broadcast and media technology supply industry worldwide. Its wide range of services to members encompasses market research and intelligence, expert representation at standards bodies and broadcasting unions, executive networking opportunities, and preferential purchasing. A presence at every major broadcast tradeshow, the IABM also provides a valuable channel for communication between broadcast manufacturers, government, and regulatory bodies. Additional IABM activities include awards programs for innovation and scholarships designed to stimulate the development of the broadcast and electronic media industries on an international basis. For more information, please visit www.theiabm.org.
