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Special Questions
August 2010
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|
Aug. '10
(percent) |
| 1. |
What percent of your total sales is exported to foreign countries
(outside the United States): |
|
| |
None |
23.4 |
| |
1–10% |
44.7 |
| |
11–25% |
17.0 |
| |
26–50% |
8.5 |
| |
More than 50% |
5.3 |
| |
Don't know |
1.1 |
| |
|
|
| 2. |
Over the past year, have your export sales: |
|
| |
Increased substantially |
5.3 |
| |
Increased modestly |
20.2 |
| |
Stayed the same |
33.0 |
| |
Decreased modestly |
13.8 |
| |
Decreased substantially |
3.2 |
| |
Not applicable |
24.5 |
| |
|
|
| 3. |
Over the past year, have you outsourced or moved any of your activities or production to a foreign country? |
|
| |
Yes |
21.3 |
| |
No |
78.7 |
| |
|
|
| 4. |
Over the past few months, how have your sales been affected by the Gulf oil spill and related policy actions, such as the moratorium on deepwater drilling? |
|
| |
Decreased substantially |
5.3 |
| |
Decreased modestly |
18.1 |
| |
Were not affected |
44.7 |
| |
Increased |
1.1 |
| |
Not applicable |
30.9 |
| |
|
|
|
| Survey collection period: 8/02/2010–8/05/2010 |
Special Question Comments
These comments have been edited for publication.
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
Our business is still weak, and our customers are very slow with new projects.
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
The oil spill and policy actions have had a negative impact on our customer base located in Louisiana, with a decline in jobs and earnings in the region.
We are involved in some oil and gas operations, and we have seen an increase in activity in anticipation of tighter permitting and other rules.
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
The net effects of the deepwater drilling moratorium remain to be seen. It could potentially have a much larger impact within the next 12 to 24 months if it continues.
The people that have been primarily affected by the moratorium are the people directly on the Gulf coast that depend on that income for their livelihood.
The oil spill seemed to cause owners and contractors to hold off on making decisions until the government's overall response to the energy sector could be determined. Overall, the economic impact of government policy has caused a loss of confidence in business prospects. The timing of the oil spill was particularly ill-fated since we were starting to see increased activity and more positive business attitudes.
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
We have almost 90 percent of our sales outside of the U.S.
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