State of Manufacturing®
The State of Manufacturing® is an annual survey of Minnesota’s manufacturing industry, highlighting the trends, conditions, and outlook of executives from around the state.
2023 Survey Results
The takeaway: Manufacturers are anxious about recent legislative actions and have little confidence in economic growth in the coming year.
Fears of recession are easing for Minnesota manufacturers, and many have returned to grappling with the normal aches and pains of operating a business. But that doesn’t mean they are bullish on the state’s economy. Manufacturers of all sizes anticipate a near future of economic stagnation, coloring their decisions about hiring and investing in their companies.
Pair that with deep worry about the changes enacted by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 — notably requirements to provide paid family and medical leave and paid earned sick and safe leave. All told, these conditions have fostered a prevailing mood of uncertainty and trepidation among manufacturers. Enterprise Minnesota’s 15th annual survey, the State of Manufacturing® (SOM), found that just 16% of respondents believe that 2023 will be one of economic expansion. This is the lowest level since the rock bottom 8% recorded during the 2008 Great Recession.
Watch the complete presentation here.
Regional SOM Events
Following each survey, Enterprise Minnesota travels the state and hosts regional events in each of the six Initiative Foundation regions that bring together manufacturers, economic developers, legislators, and industry stakeholders. These events provide an opportunity to discuss and celebrate manufacturing at the local level. Subscribe to Enterprise Minnesota to stay informed of local events happening in your region.
Pollster’s 2023 Analysis
Manufacturers predict that the biggest challenges that could put a damper on growth are attracting and retaining a qualified workforce (39%), inflation (32%), and increases in costs of materials needed to make products (31%).
Survey Deck
Highlight slides of the 2023 State of Manufacturing® survey deck are below. View the complete slide deck (PDF).
Heard in our Focus Groups
A selection of 2023 focus group responses from around the state provides context to the quantitative results of the survey. View complete focus group responses here (PDF).
Requests for interview
Bob Kill, president & CEO of Enterprise Minnesota is available for comment and interview regarding the State of Manufacturing® survey. If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Robert Lodge ([email protected]).
The State of Manufacturing survey is made possible through the support of our generous partners. If you are interested in being a part of the State of Manufacturing survey, please contact us.
The State of Manufacturing survey is conducted by Meeting Street Insights and is underwritten by Enterprise Minnesota.
Research & Data
Since 2008, the State of Manufacturing® survey has been providing industry-leading insight and analysis to business leaders, public policy makers, educators, and the media.