Food Company Execs Still Optimistic

摘要

Despite an uncertain economy, food and allied product executives remain cautiously optimistic about their growth prospects, according to an annual survey taken this spring of 86 food executives from 82 mostly small to mid-sized companies. The primary difference this year is the degree of optimism expressed shifting from "very" optimistic to "somewhat" optimistic.rn"Many food and allied product companies have continued their strong performance, despite rising prices, an uncertain economy and decreased consumer spending," says TerryrnSchwartz, managing director of Minneapolis-based RSM McGla-drey an accounting, tax and business consulting firm. "By taking several proactive measures, the industry as a whole has continued to maintain or improve gross margins. [If] the U.S. economy begins to stabilize, the future is bright for many of these companies."rnWhile much in the economic picture has changed since the survey was taken, it asked about critical industry issues - cost structure, profitability, technology initiatives, operations and globalization. The majority (60 percent) of companies reported a margin of 20 percent or more, a slight gain over the 2007 survey. Commodity pricing (60 percent), selling pricing (55 percent) and internal cost-cutting measures (35 percent) were listed as the three most used practices that contribute to an increase in margins.