News Article 2014

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March 24 2014, David R Brown

Latest CBA supply chain survey reveals UK distributors increasingly positive about the future

The latest Supply Chain Trends Survey from the Chemical Business Association (CBA) reveals an increasingly positive outlook for order books as well as current and future sales. The survey also shows that CBA member companies expect the current pressure on sales margins to ease over the next three months.

Trading conditions are continuing to improve with a majority of member companies reporting an improving order and sales position

Steven Cartlidge
Chairman, CBA

“The March survey confirms that trading conditions are continuing to improve with a majority of member companies reporting an improving order and sales position – and are expecting that trend to continue over the next three months. In addition more than a third of CBA companies expect employment levels to increase during the next three months,” said CBA's Chairman, Steven Cartlidge.

In the March 2014 survey, a sharply increased positive balance of +45% (November 2013, +24%) of CBA member companies report stronger order books than three months ago. Current sales have developed a similar momentum with a positive balance of +43% (November 2013, +23%) of respondents reporting higher sales than three months ago. Looking ahead, member companies are confident that this trend will continue during the next three months with a positive balance of +46% forecasting increased sales (November 2013, +25%).

The March 2014 survey reveals little change in the current pressure on sales margins with a negative balance -24% of companies reporting deteriorating margins over the last three months. The corresponding figure for November 2013 was -25%. This pressure is expected to ease during the next three months with only -4% of companies forecasting worsening margins (November 2013, -9%).

CBA member companies continue to forecast higher employment levels over the next three months with a positive balance of +32% of respondents indicating rising levels of employment – a similar level to November 2013 (+33%).

About Chemical Business Association (CBA)
CBA is the voice of the UK chemical supply chain. It represents a wide range of businesses – from distributors and traders to manufacturers and blenders as well as logistics and service providers. The majority of CBA members are small or medium-sized enterprises.

Source(s): CBA Press Release

Further Information

Visit: http://www.chemical.org.uk