While fabricators overall have a positive perspective for the upcoming year, it appears they are a little more cautious than their predictions for 2016, according to Stone World’s annual purchasing plan survey conducted by the Market Research Department at BNP Media (Stone World’s parent company). The survey polled fabricators from small-, medium- and large-sized shops located across the U.S., and three-quarters of the respondents have high hopes for 2017 — with sales revenues expected to grow next year by an average of 17%. While this is a 10% drop from the 86% who believed last year would show growth, it is still a hopeful sign that 2017 will be a good year for many.
The recent survey showed a total of 76% expect sales revenue to increase in 2017. Another 23% said it would remain the same (up 9% from 2016’s predictions), and 2% believe that there would be a decrease in sales revenue. The mean average of 17% growth has also been the mean for the past three years.