Thomas Industrial Networks February Industrial Purchasing Barometer (IPB) Survey found that 82% of industrial buyers are either proceeding cautiously or “back to business as usual” with regard to purchasing in the current economic environment. Also, more than 30% stated their company's biggest business increases came from new orders in 2003. Other responses included “profit levels” (27%), “inventory levels” (23%), “shipments” (10%) and “employment levels” (9%).
The IPB survey was conducted randomly among Thomas' pool of more than one million opt-in online users. Survey respondents represent manufacturing and engineering segments, as well as wholesale trade, distribution, service providers and government agencies.