Managing Director
What to budget for in 2013, now there’s a challenge! Uncertainty surrounding the Euro-zone recession and debt crisis, falling consumption in China and the fragility of the UK economy has led to weak GDP growth predictions from 1% from the NIESR to 1.9% from the OECD. With the CBI and AFDEC reporting falling order books what of next year?
I predict another challenging year with continued uncertainty leading to a cautious approach to investment resulting in short-term order books and pressure from OEMs to reduce stocks, particularly through distribution.
Component manufacturers with a more diverse customer base, although still affected, are likely to be best placed. At Binder, investment during the recession in local sales infrastructure and new product development means we are well placed to react to growth when it returns. We expect new business development projects and new product initiatives to yield single digit growth above market performance.