PwC’s 16th Annual Global CEO Survey

PwC’s 16th Annual Global CEO Survey, specifically the key findings in the industrial manufacturing sector, are based on interviews with 173 CEOs in 39 countries. Industrial manufacturing CEOs are a lot like their peers across industries as they are somewhat less confident this year and are worried about a range of threats, particularly around the global economy. However, there are some key differences too, and these reflect the increasingly global nature of the sector.

Key findings from the report include:

• Majority of industrial manufacturing CEOs are increasing their investment in creating and fostering a skilled workforce – it is their #1 priority looking out over 3 years
• U.S. and China are considered the top two most important countries for industrial manufacturers’ overall growth prospects over the next 12 months  
  • 33% of industrial manufacturing CEOs say that China is one of their top three growth markets for the coming 12 months
• Industrial manufacturing CEOs see the cost of energy and raw materials as a potential problem – 73% are concerned, compared to just 52% of the total sample
• 82% of CEOs said their companies have implemented a cost reduction initiative over the past 12 months – remains a long-term trend in the sector
• 64% of CEOs are somewhat or extremely concerned about exchange rate volatility, compared with the overall average of 54%

View the full survey results here.