Industrial Information Resources of Houston is forecasting 735 new plant startups to come online in 2003, a slight improvement from 705 counted in 2002. IIR defines start-ups to include new construction or previously closed plants restarting with new ownership or new product.
Industries with the most notable growth include food and beverage (157), industrial manufacturing (149) and power plants (148). One of the leading industries in capital spending is the pharmaceutical and biotech sector, with 29 new plants starting up in 2003.