33rd Annual Survey of Corporate Executives Commentary: The Effects of Tax Cuts, Tariffs, and a Skilled Labor Shortage on Facility Plans
While the long-term effects of recent tax cuts and increased tariffs on facility plans remain to be seen, difficulty in finding a workforce with the required skill sets is a continuing problem.
Q1 2019
There were also questions regarding whether the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 would spur business expansions. Typically, growth driven by tax cuts doesn’t occur immediately, which the survey validates as it shows that growth related to the tax cuts was minimal in 2018; however, the impact of the tax cuts on future plans is projected by nearly twice as many respondents.
Over the last few years we have seen a change in staffing plans for many industrial facilities. Manufacturing and distribution facilities continue to automate, requiring increased capital investment but with a reduction in headcount. This is substantiated by the survey — 71 percent of the respondents say their new domestic facilities will add fewer than 100 jobs.
While this is a positive news in a tight labor market, the challenge is finding an employment base with the required skill sets. While the headcount requirements have declined, those positions now require a higher skill set. It is no surprise that availability of skilled labor is now the number-one site selection factor.
Finally, an interesting result in the survey is related to total headcount to be created at new foreign facilities: 43 percent of the Corporate Survey respondents say their new foreign facilities will create 100–499 jobs, which is twice the percentage indicated for 100–499 headcount creation in new domestic facilities.
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