AWI survey points to stronger industry in 2016

The Architectural Woodwork Institute recently held its 63rd annual convention in Salt Lake City where results of the organization’s 2015 Cost of Doing Business Survey and Compensation Study were a hot topic.

The AWI publishes the annual report to provide industry specific statistics to architectural woodwork manufacturers. Results suggest a positive business climate through 2016.

“The growing business sentiment is a huge success for our members,” AWI chief member services officer Cassey Gibson says. “The numbers are definitely looking up and getting better.”

The AWI is a non-profit trade association that represents about 4,000 manufacturers, suppliers, design professionals and students from around the world. Survey respondents included 135 manufacturers, more than half of which have been in business for more than 25 years, according to Gibson.

The survey says sales predictions are on the rise. Seventy-five percent of the respondents reported favorable business conditions and operating margins as high as 17 percent.

Capital investments are up in the last 12 months and about a third of the respondents are planning to increase their workforce by 10 percent in the next year, according to the survey.

For more, visit www.awinet.org.

This article originally appeared in the November 2015 issue.