Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/116226
By the Numbers The Pricewaterhouse Coopers Industrial Product practice showed an increase in fourth quarter 2012 global industrial products merger and acquisition activity, driven by the comeback of mega deals, or transactions worth more than $1 billion. Financial investors also increased participation in some M&A markets. Across all industrial products, 238 transactions worth more than $89 million total were recorded in 2012's fourth quarter. During the same quarter in 2011, there were 191 transactions totaling $74 billion. Manufacturing executives optimistic about 2013 Optimism about the future continues to grow among manufacturing executives, according to the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Manufacturing Barometer report. Looking ahead, 48 percent of respondents expressed optimism about the 12-month outlook for the US economy, up 11 points from the prior quarter's 37 percent. Seven percent were pessimistic (off 2 points), while 45 percent were uncertain. View of the US economy, this quarter View of the US economy, next 12 months Industrial manufacturers Industrial manufacturers 100% 100% Growing Unchanged Declining 28 80% 68 60% 57 46 40% 8 4Q '11 5 0 1Q '12 2Q '12 57 54 9 8 3Q '12 4Q '12 45 41 20% 32 48 70 40 38 0% 37 52 60% 45 20% 80% 52 64 40% Optimistic Uncertain Pessimistic 30 0% 27 13 4Q '11 3 1Q '12 7 9 7 2Q '12 3Q '12 4Q '12 Wisconsin agricultural exports set records Wisconsin exported over $2.9 billion worth of agricultural products in 2012, according to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, an increase of 3 percent compared to the same time period in 2011 and the highest value ever for the state. Wisconsin's most valuable markets for agricultural products in 2012 were: Canada, Mexico, China, Korea and Japan. Wisconsin's top agricultural export destination in 2012 was Canada, importing $1.45 billion of agricultural products from the state. The market showing the biggest growth was China with a 49 percent increase of agricultural product value from Wisconsin in 2012. The most valuable exports to China last year were hides and skins, animal 26 | / insight on manufacturing • March 2013 feed and dairy-related products. Other Highlights: » everages topped all other exports at B $400 million » Miscellaneous food exports totaled $290 million, an increase of 16 percent » isconsin's dairy-related exports totaled W $282 million in 2012, an increase of 22 percent » aking-related items and preserved foods B totaled $220 million, an increase of 26 percent w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g .c o m