skip to content
Primary navigation

Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey

The Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey attempts to gauge the sentiments of Minnesota manufacturers concerning themselves and the state economy.

For more information about how the survey was conducted, see the survey methodology listed below the full report.

2023

Manufacturers reported a cautiously optimistic outlook in their business indicators for 2024 compared to how their businesses performed against those indicators in 2023.

2022

Manufacturers expect mostly unchanged conditions in 2023. In 2022, 52% of respondents indicated an increase in orders, and 51% experienced unchanged productivity. Additionally, 45% reported an increase in investment in plant/equipment.

2021

Manufacturers anticipate recovery despite ongoing challenges in 2022. In 2021, 63% of respondents indicated an increase in the number of orders, and 53% experienced production level growth. Additionally, 38% reported increased productivity.

2020

Manufacturers expect lingering pandemic conditions in 2021, with over half indicating they expect to go back to normal operations in more than six months.

2019

Minnesota manufacturers reported unchanged or improved conditions in 2019, but at a lower rate than the previous year. Forty-eight percent reported unchanged productivity while 44% experienced stable employment. Manufacturers expect mostly unchanged conditions for 2020.

2018

Minnesota manufacturers reported mostly unchanged or improved conditions during 2018. The 2018 Minnesota Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey also found that 94% of respondents expect their employment to remain stable or go up in 2019.

2017

Minnesota manufacturers are upbeat about the economy, with 95% expecting production levels to increase or stay the same in 2018. The 2017 Minnesota Manufacturing Business Conditions Survey also found that 94% of respondents expect orders to increase or stay the same in 2018 and 90% expect exports to increase or stay the same.

2016

Most of Minnesota's manufacturers expect business conditions in 2017 to improve or be the same as last year. More than 60% of manufacturers anticipate unchanged employment while nearly 50% expect increased number of orders.

back to top