CHICAGO - A new study titled NAW Economic Forecast 2004, written by Pembroke Consulting and Economy.com for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), predicts a favorable outlook ahead for wholesale distribution companies in the Midwest.

Among wholesale distribution companies in the Midwest, Illinois will lead in revenue growth at 6.5 percent followed closely by Wisconsin at 6.2 percent. Distributors in Indiana and Michigan will see revenues climb by 5.4 percent and Ohio's distributors will see revenues grow 5.2 percent. By comparison, wholesale distributors in the Midwest will outpace the 2004 national forecast for revenue growth by wholesale distribution companies, which is 5.6 percent.

"The outlook for wholesale distribution companies is positive," said Mark Dancer, Pembroke Consulting vice president. "This is a good sign for the general economic recovery that is now underway in many business to business markets."

Among the region's wholesale distributors, Michigan and Wisconsin will lead in employment growth at 1.4 percent, followed by Ohio at 1.3 percent, Illinois at 1.2 percent, and Indiana at 1.1 percent.

According to Pembroke Consulting's regional analysis, there are approximately 67,000 locations involved with wholesale distribution in the Midwest. These companies employ over 850,000 people in the region in jobs ranging from sales and office workers to truckers and warehouse workers.

The report forecasts the national average employment growth among all wholesale distributors at 1.4 percent. Across the nation, the wholesale distribution industry consists of over 300,000 companies that employ nearly one out of every 20 Americans.

The NAW Economic Forecast 2004 for wholesale distribution is available for purchase online at www.nawpubs.org or by calling 202-872-0885.

Publication date: 12/01/2003