PROSPECT, CT – Business in the US contract manufacturing industry is expected to increase in the next twelve months, according to a recent Design-2-Part show survey.

The results from just over 2,000 respondents 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. The show producers did not break out electronics manufacturing respondents.

Just over 31.1% said they expect an increase, while only 11.1% anticipate a decrease, and 57.8% conveyed their outsourcing projects would remain the same.

The Santa Clara, CA, 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. 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 recent D2P attendees on their needs for outsourcing custom parts and services during the next year.