Unipetrol - Competitors

Unipetrol Competition

Now Viewing Unipetrol's competition in: Manufacturing Sector

Recent Developments

Oil Prices Continue Rise - As oil prices continue to climb in 2008, manufactured products that use oil as a raw material may experience price increases or reduced profit margins. Escalating fuel prices are raising the cost of bringing manufactured goods to market, which may reduce demand for manufactured consumer items, as consumers spend more on fuel. In April 2008, global crude oil prices rose over the previous year more than 62 percent; US gas prices increased 18 percent. Oil prices are rising partly because refiners are switching from making the cheaper winter gas to the more expensive, less-polluting formulation mandated for summer use.

Industrial Production Decreases - The overall rate of industrial production, a measure of US manufacturing activity, fell 1.6 percent in March 2008 compared to the same period the previous year. Sectors impacted by the downturn in the real estate market and by high fuel prices contributed to lowered production: motor vehicles decreased 10.6 percent; heavy duty trucks dropped 19.4 percent; and HVAC equipment declined 18 percent. Production improved in technology sectors: computers, communication equipment, and semiconductors gained 26.4 percent.

Outlook for US Exports Unchanged - Strong export growth for the US manufacturing sector, which continues to be enhanced by a weakened US dollar, is expected to be mostly offset by the slowing global economy, according to The Manufacturers Alliance (MAPI). For 2008, MAPI predicts that the market for US exports will remain flat at 8.1 percent, about the same as 2007. The weakened dollar is expected to drive moderate growth for US exports, about 8.7 percent, starting in 2009.

Competitive Landscape

Most sales by manufacturing companies are to other manufacturing companies. Profitability depends on efficient and cost-effective manufacturing operations and distribution. Small companies can compete by producing specialized products or selling into specialized markets. Large companies have advantages of scale in procurement, production, distribution, and marketing. Average sales per employee vary greatly due to the large variety of products in this sector.

Full Industry Overview For Manufacturing Sector

Manufacturing Sector Industry Forecast

from Hoover's/D&B subsidiary First Research

The output of the US manufacturing sector is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4.5 percent between 2007 and 2012.

Manufacturing Production Growth Dips and Recovers

First Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.