Special Questions

Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey

Data were collected August 13–21, and 82 Texas manufacturers responded to the survey.

NOTES: 80 responses. In February 2023, the question asked about 2023 versus 2022.

NOTE: 81 responses.

NOTE: 77 responses.

NOTES: 23 responses. This question was only posed to those who experienced a negative impact from the storms over the past few months.

Survey respondents were given the opportunity to also provide comments, which can be found in the Comments tab above.

Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey

Data were collected August 13–21, and 259 Texas business executives responded to the survey.

NOTES: 255 responses. In February 2023, the question asked about 2023 versus 2022.

NOTE: 255 responses.

NOTE: 248 responses.

NOTES: 59 responses. This question was only posed to those who experienced a negative impact from the storms over the past few months.

Survey respondents were given the opportunity to also provide comments, which can be found in the Comments tab above.

Texas Retail Outlook Survey

Data were collected August 13–21, and 49 Texas retailers responded to the survey.

NOTES: 48 responses. In February 2023, the question asked about 2023 versus 2022.

NOTE: 48 responses.

NOTE: 48 responses.

NOTES: 14 responses. This question was only posed to those who experienced a negative impact from the storms over the past few months.

Survey respondents were given the opportunity to also provide comments, which can be found in the Comments tab above.

Special Questions Comments

These comments have been edited for publication.

• Hurricane Beryl forced a shutdown of all three units. There was some delay in getting personnel back on schedule. There was no damage of note.

• Our staffing will increase once the capital spending project provides the equipment and process capable for production.

• The storm had a significant negative impact on July performance.

• Due to power failures, we have lost two weeks of production. Until the reliability of the Houston grid improves, we will be operating like a third-world country—only working when the lights are on.
• We are a very small company but have been through seven to eight people in three years. They are either incapable or unskilled.

• Our industry is shipping below 2019 (prepandemic) levels. There is a clear sign of customer inventory correction as all regions have grown GDP over the last four to five years. Given this, we would expect things to normalize and revenues to grow as customers moderate inventory reductions.
• Our roof has been damaged, and the insurance company is refusing to fix it.

• After 22 years in business, revenue has dropped to the point we are considering closure at year-end.

• We opted to pay all employees who were unable to work because of Hurricane Beryl (mostly power outages). We lost a fair amount of productivity as a result.

• The storms that have impacted us were not Hurricane Beryl, which went right over the center of Houston and my two Houston facilities. It is the storms of tax provisions that are sunsetting, interest rate increases, regulations, inflation and our political process.

• The business climate is getting worse in the U.S. and the global market, from what we see from our customer demand and purchase orders issued.
• We are a virtual team, so power and Wi-Fi disruption hit half of our team, which slowed down our productivity.
• We saw decreased sales in storm-affected areas.
• We've been looking to hire experienced, qualified staff for a year now but have not had many interested or qualified candidates. Our cost of doing business is going up with increases in wages, benefits, insurance and software subscriptions.
• Finding qualified engineers with at least six years of experience is very difficult right now. We have been looking to fill a position in our Fort Worth office since January. That position is still open.
• The market and economy are top priorities.

• Many of our customers in Houston were affected by the storm and lost power. As a result, we were unable to service them or provide them products.
• Both the derecho and Hurricane Beryl were disruptive to employees and clients.
• We are not optimistic about the future and are cutting every expense possible including wages of current staff.

• The lengths of extreme weather conditions as well as the extreme weather forecasts decrease attendance.

• Significant storms hurt our customers and employees, not to mention our revenue, and always have. Unfortunately, poor preparation and response by the power transmission company is a significant repetitive problem. Geometrically increasing P&L [public liability] insurance costs, not to mention problems getting fully insured, also drain profitability.

• I am optimistic and expect business to improve over the next six months if Trump is elected president. Trump has promised a low tax environment and pro-business stance that will stimulate the economy. If Harris wins the election, I will not feel as optimistic over the next six months.