Manufacturers hope to increase production in U.S.

A survey of 207 companies by Boston University’s School of Management found that 32% of the firms--up from about 20% last year--expected to increase the U.S. share of their production in the next two years, compared to 24% that expected to increase the foreign share and 44% that expected no change. In contrast, only 12% surveyed in 1984 and 19% of those surveyed in 1986 expected to raise domestic production. There was less interest in buying more from domestic suppliers, with 47% expected to increase the share of purchases made offshore, compared to 17% who expected to increase the domestic share and 36% expected no change.