Jul 14, 2010 
The results from just over 2,000 responders indicate that nearly three times as many OEMs expect an increase in outsourcing/purchasing projects as those who expect a decrease, outnumbering them by a ratio of 2.8 to 1. Just over thirty-one percent (31.1%) said that they expect an increase, while only 11.1% anticipated a decrease and 57.8% conveyed that their outsourcing projects would remain the same. The Santa Clara, California region showed the highest percentage of respondents expecting an increase, at 40%, versus 4.4% expecting less outsourcing.
The survey also revealed that offshoring may not be as popular as it once was. When asked where they currently outsource the majority of their projects, only 9.8% of respondents said “overseas.” Outsourcing locally was the leading choice at 32%, followed by regionally and nationally with 29.2% and 29%, respectively. And the leading reason why they use local vendors was “hands-on access/vendor visits,” which outpolled “delivery time/cost” and “support the local economy.”
The survey polled manufacturing engineers and purchasing personnel who attended one of 12 national D2P Shows that took place in major manufacturing hubs across the United States in the last year.
Design-2-Part Shows are America’s largest and longest running design and contract manufacturing tradeshows. The shows provide design engineers, manufacturing engineers, manufacturing managers, and purchasers their best opportunity of the year to meet local and national job shops and contract manufacturers for the purpose of sourcing custom parts, components, design, prototypes and assemblies. Job shops and contract manufacturing companies exhibit design-through-manufacturing services covering more than 300 product categories for the metals, plastics, rubber, and electronics industries.
For more information about the Design-2-Part Shows or to register for free show admission, visit http://www.D2P.com.
