Supply Chain Executive Survey: Economic Recovery Is Close, but Companies Not Fully Ready to Benefit

RALEIGH, NC, September 17, 2009 -- In a recent survey of supply chain executives from leading high-technology, retail, consumer products and pharmaceutical companies, the majority say they believe that the U.S. economy will "officially turn around" in either the second quarter of 2010 or the fourth quarter of 2009.

The survey, conducted September 1 and 2 at the Supply Chain Leadership Forum in Chicago, shows that about 41% expect positive GDP growth in spring of 2010 while almost 30% believe the economy will rebound earlier, in winter of 2009.

"Your outlook on the timing of the 'Great Comeback' certainly depends on your industry sector," notes Bruce Tompkins, Executive Director of the Supply Chain Consortium. "For instance, food and beverage is already seeing some growth, but high-tech and retail will need to wait awhile before their industries experience more positive results."

Although they admit that the Great Comeback is right around the corner, more than 90% of survey respondents also indicate that they have not yet developed a significant Comeback Plan or the initiatives to carry it out.

"The smartest companies are shifting to recovery mode before their rivals by developing and implementing a strategic plan that anticipates the end of the recession and positions them for future growth," Tompkins says. "But even companies that were not significantly impacted by the downturn are pursuing aggressive supply chain improvements to strengthen their competitive positions."

On a similar note, most executives surveyed report that they are not prepared to capture government stimulus incentives for new projects. More than half say that their organizations are "not prepared" or "only slightly prepared" to take advantage of government incentives under the stimulus plan.

Read more about the event in these three blog posts made live from the Supply Chain Leadership Forum. More information will be available soon for the 2010 Leadership Forum, which will be held August 31 - September 1. The Consortium also has a LinkedIn group for companies that are interested in benchmarking and best practices.

Contact Information 
Myra Schwartz
Tompkins Associates
919-855-5533
mschwartz@tompkinsinc.com

About the Supply Chain Consortium 
The Supply Chain Consortium is the premier source for supply chain benchmarking and best practices knowledge. With more than 300 participating retail, manufacturing and wholesale/distribution companies, the Consortium sponsors a comprehensive repository of 17,000-plus benchmarks complemented by search capabilities, online analysis tools, topic forums and peer networking for supply chain executives and practitioners. The Consortium is led by the needs of its membership and an Advisory Board that includes executives from Campbell Soup Company, Hallmark Cards, Hewlett Packard, Ingram Micro, Kraft Foods, Miller-Coors, The Coca-Cola Company, Target, and True Value Hardware. To learn more about how your company can become a member of the Supply Chain Consortium, contact John Foley, 919-855-5461 or learn more here.