Manufacturing Execs Prepared for Economic Upturn
Mid-year focus groups of Minnesota manufacturing executives reveal a cautious yet positive outlook for 2010.
Minnesota’s beleaguered manufacturing executives showed wary but hopeful optimism about prospects for the 2010 economy, according to mid-year research conducted by the State of Manufacturing, a project initiated by Enterprise Minnesota.
“Most focus group participants indicated that the economy appears to have hit bottom,” says Tom Mason of Minneapolis-based Mason Public Affairs, Inc., which conducted nine focus groups in August and September throughout Minnesota. “At the same time, there was quite a wide diversity of thought about how quickly the economy would bounce back.”
Last year Enterprise Minnesota initiated the State of Manufacturing, a 400-person survey conducted in December 2008 by Public Opinion Strategies, a survey research company based in Alexandria, Va.
The results of the research—published in book form as well as available online—were used throughout the year. In addition, four town meetings regarding the poll and a standing-room-only rollout at the Minnesota History Center with Gov. Tim Pawlenty were held to share results with manufacturers across the state.
In the December survey, Minnesota’s manufacturers surprised many observers with a universally calm “we’ve been through this before” attitude in response to the sudden, dramatic decline in the American economy.
It is a mistake to draw conclusions from focus groups without an underlying poll, Mason says, but the unanimity of participants was universal.
2009 Mid-Year Focus Group Transcripts:
For more information, visit www.stateofmanufacturing.com