2004 Costs Expected to Increase

John Wolz

A total of 45.6% reported costs increased, compared with 20.5% cutting costs during 2003. Even more � 64.5% � anticipate cost increases in the coming year.
Only 10.3% expect costs to drop in 2004, and just over one-quarter predict costs will remain the same.
At 3.2 the overall cost index was equal to 2002 and more than the 2.6 for 2001. Manufacturers felt less cost increases at 3.1, compared with 3.3 for distributors.
The overall FINdex projection for 2004 is 3.6. By a narrow 3.7 to 3.6 margin, more manufacturers expect cost increases this year than distributors.

\�2004 FastenerNews.com