(ASQ: Milwaukee, WI) -- Manufacturers are increasingly positive as 2014 comes to a close, with 83 percent expecting revenue growth next year, up from 64 percent of manufacturers that anticipated growth in 2014, according to results of the ASQ 2015 Manufacturing Outlook Survey.

And their positivity is well earned, with 75 percent of manufacturers actually experiencing revenue growth in 2014, up from 65 percent in 2013.

Manufacturers still face challenges, however, with 41 percent citing the economy as their greatest hurdle, followed by the shortage of skilled workers, at 26 percent, according to the survey. Other hurdles identified by respondents include, “competition,” “falling crude oil prices,” “managing growth,” and “raw materials shortages.”

“Driven by gains in 2014, it’s encouraging to see manufacturers’ positive outlook in revenue growth for 2015,” says ASQ CEO William Troy. “Manufacturing is a key industry of economies worldwide, and the use of performance excellence and quality systems can help organizations accelerate their growth by improving efficiencies and increasing customer loyalty.”

 …