Texas Companies Report Slower Manufacturing Growth in August

Survey respondents were less optimistic about general business activity in August, as evidenced by a five-month low index reading of 7.1.

Input prices were steady with the raw materials index reading 26.4. Prices for finished products were at a six month high, showing an index reading of 9.1, up from 7.3.

Future expectations for general business conditions edged down one point to 18.7. The index for future company outlook showed more optimism with a jump of 6 points 30.1. Manufacturing activity indexes for the future remained positive.

Survey respondents were asked to comment on the Affordable Care Act and its impact on their businesses. The following are a few comments from those answering the survey.

The Affordable Care Act is such a huge cost increase we must pass it on to our customers or go broke. The projected cost increase is more money than we made last year. This increase will put us at an even bigger cost disadvantage versus imports. We will lose business to imports and plan to reduce our workforce accordingly. – Primary Metal Manufacturer

We are keeping employment levels below the 50 threshold, which we lowered from 70 during the economic downturn. We will continue to study the impact for 2015 if we should consider to continue to rebuild our work force. – Fabricated Metal Manufacturing

We offer health coverage to all of our employees and their families with no monthly deductible. We are being forced to review and modify our benefits package in order to curtail costs. – Fabricated Metal Manufacturing

It is very challenging for a midsize, low-margin, U.S. manufacturer to compete in a global economy when forced to absorb double-digit operating expenses related to increased medical insurance. – Fabricated Metal Manufacturing

The Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey and additional comments can be accessed at the Federal Reserve site here.