Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/513426
22 | /INSIGHT ON MANUFACTURING • May 2015 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m By the NUMBERS Optimism among U.S. industrial manufacturers on the direction of the domestic economy continues to rise, though the potential impact of the strong dollar is causing uncertainty, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers' Q1 2015 Manufacturing Barometer. Seventy-six percent of U.S. industrial manufacturers were optimistic about the prospects of the U.S. economy in the coming year during Q1 2015, compared with 68 percent the previous quarter and 71 percent in Q1 2014. The level of optimism reported was the highest since the fourth quarter of 2005. Optimism about the world economy also improved, but by a more modest four points to 42 percent, as compared with the previous quarter. International sales were projected to drop from 30 percent to 27 percent, linked to the stronger dollar and more global competition. Robotics use among manufacturers 48% 44% 69% Percentage of manufacturers are either heavily or moderately involved in robotics systems. Percentage of manufacturers that believe robotics systems are moderately important to profit growth during the next two to three years. Percentage of manufacturers who agree price and ROI were barriers to installation of robotics systems. Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers Q1 2015 Manufacturing Barometer U.S. manufacturers optimistic 28,078 high school students earned college credit through Wisconsin technical colleges in 2014. High schools in Wisconsin have more than 1,300 dual credit agreements with technical colleges throughout the state. Source: wistechcolleges.org