The survey showed 86.1 percent of respondents were either somewhat positive or very positive about their company’s outlook, the highest sign of manufacturer confidence since the fiscal cliff debate of 2012.
Despite this uptick in optimism, the survey also stated the government continues to be the major source of the burdens facing manufacturers. The top business challenge, cited by 79 percent of respondents, was an unfavorable business climate due to taxes, regulations, and government uncertainties, including Washington’s inability to solve problems. Rising health care and insurance costs followed closely behind with uncertainties attributed mostly to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).