Corporate Executive Survey Commentary: Project Timelines Compressed
Site location decision-making durations continue to compress, as reflected by those considering shovel-ready/pre-certified sites and building availability important factors.
Q1 2014
I was not surprised to see availability of skilled labor lead the list of site selection factors, rising two spots and about 6 percent from last year’s survey. Identifying locations with a labor force well suited to meet the immediate and long-terms needs of a particular company has become a challenge nationwide, as our economy continues to recover and our work force struggles to support the changing needs of employers, especially in the manufacturing sectors. What I did find surprising was that there was no mention of the HR function among the departments involved in the site selection process. My personal experience is that HR representatives are playing a more significant role in location decision-making and getting involved earlier in the process.
In addition to the rising focus on labor, our clients have never been as concerned with the reduction and mitigation of delivery risk, as site location decision-making durations continue to compress, as indicated by a 9 percent increase over 2012 in the number of respondents who reached a decision within 3– 6 months. Several survey responses reflect this trend, including 61 percent of respondents categorizing shovel-ready/pre-certified site as very or somewhat important. Along similar lines, the existence of available buildings remains critical, with 78 percent of respondents assigning existing building availability into the same top two categories.
Project Announcements
Amazon Plans Goochland County, Virginia, Fulfillment Operations
05/16/2025
Reworld Plans Park Hills, Missouri, Material Processing Operations
05/16/2025
Sumitomo Drive Technologies Upgrades Chesapeake, Virginia, Warehouse-Distribution Operations
05/16/2025
Green Recycle USA Plans Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Operations
05/16/2025
QualiChem Expands Salem, Virginia, Operations
05/16/2025
Turkey-Based Mega Metal Plans Ridgeway, South Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
05/16/2025
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