The Manufacturing Law Blog provides timely commentary on issues of importance to manufacturers and distributors. Contributors from the law firm of Robinson & Cole LLP are corporate compliance and litigation attorney, Jeff White; environmental, health and safety attorney, Pam Elkow; and labor and employment attorney, Nicole Bernabo
Robinson & Cole LLP had the privilege of working with a coalition of Connecticut manufacturers and other trade and business organizations to conduct a survey of the state of the Connecticut manufacturing industry. This effort was spearheaded by the Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut — of which our firm is a member.
Two hundred (200) manufacturers participated in the survey, which can be accessed here. Among the key findings of the survey as reported in a press release by MAC:
- Manufacturers rate the state’s economic conditions as poor and have little expectation of change: Connecticut manufacturers rate economic conditions negatively in the state both in general and specifically in terms of their industry.
- Most Connecticut manufacturers have been courted by other states: A majority of Connecticut manufacturers report having been recruited to relocate or expand to other states, with North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Georgia most frequently cited as recruiting states.
- Sales: 2012 higher than 2011, not as high as hoped: For most manufacturers 2012’s sales were better than 2011’s, but not as good as they had forecasted. A majority of manufacturers express optimism for the current year, projecting higher sales for 2013.
- While employment levels are trending slightly upward, qualified employees hard to find: Overall, most manufacturers report higher levels of employment in 2013 than in 2012, and a majority anticipate higher levels in 2014 than 2013. However, nearly eight in ten manufacturers say they have difficulty finding employees with the qualifications or skills needed at their business.
- State and federal hiring incentives unused by most manufacturers: A majority of manufacturers say they have not used Connecticut hiring incentives; nearly all manufacturers say they haven’t used federal hiring incentives.