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<title>MindBranch: Manufacturing</title>
<description>Manufacturing market research products provide analysis of the latest trends, developments and market data for this industry.  Research information will help you make informed business decisions.</description>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/catalog/find.jsp?cat=manu</link>
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<title>Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market, Full Report</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R460-220.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[Green building is no longer just a fad; in fact, energy-efficient remodeling and renovating is one of the few aspects of the U.S. construction business that still holds a positive outlook in the midst of the economic turmoil in 2009.   

The U.S. residential construction market was $363 billion in 2008, down 41% from its high of $620 billion in 2006.  The home renovations market was $188 billion in 2008, down 18% percent from 2007.  But SBI estimates that the home energy efficiency renovations market in the U.S. was $21 billion in 2008; down only 13% percent from 2007&rsquo;s $24 billion.   

Remodeling to improve a home&rsquo;s energy efficiency instead of buying a new home has become a preferred option in today&rsquo;s market.  In fact, the National Association of Home Builders found that 32% of home builders also provided remodeling services in 2008. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Industrial Supply Wholesalers</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3274.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US industrial supply wholesalers industry includes about 8,000 companies with combined annual revenue of $60 billion. Major companies include WW Grainger, Applied Industrial Technologies, MSC Industrial Direct, McJunkin Red Man, and Industrial Distribution Group. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate more than 50 percent of revenue.   COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Demand is closely tied to the level of US manufacturing production. Because many operating costs are fixed, profitability depends on operational efficiency, particularly inventory management. Smaller companies can compete effectively by providing specialized supplies or superior service (delivery service and product expertise). Large distributors with a network of warehouses and outlets can maintain a lower inventory/sales ratio. The industry is highly automated: average annual revenue per worker is close to $775,000.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  Industrial supply companies sell a large number of products that industrial customers use for maintenance, repair, operations, and production (the industry refers to itself as the ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Industrial Machinery Manufacturing</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3273.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US industrial machinery manufacturing industry includes about 26,000 companies with combined annual revenue of $350 billion. Major companies include Caterpillar, Deere, and divisions of General Electric. The industry, which is fragmented overall, is made up of numerous segments that are concentrated.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Demand for machinery depends on overall industrial activity and on the health of sectors such as agriculture, construction, and power generation. The profitability of individual companies depends on engineering expertise and efficient production. Large companies have economies of scale in purchasing. Small companies can compete effectively by specializing. The industry is capital-intensive: average annual revenue per worker is about $320,000.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  Major products are farm and construction machinery, manufacturing machinery, metalworking machinery, commercial machinery, and general machinery such as engines and pumps. While some products, such as tractors or heaters, are finished products, others, like motors, are components used in further production, and some, like textile looms, ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Engineering Services</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3268.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US engineering services industry includes more than 45,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $135 billion. Major companies include Jacobs Engineering Group and URS Corporation, and the engineering divisions of large construction companies like Fluor and Bechtel. The industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest firms account for only 35 percent of industry revenue.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Demand is driven largely by the construction needs of companies and governments and the desire of industrial customers to improve the efficiency of operations. Profitability depends on the ability to accurately predict costs for a project. Small firms, which can effectively compete with larger ones by having expertise in a particular field, are often hired as consultants on larger projects if they have special expertise. Large firms are advantaged in designing and managing large projects. Average revenue per employee is about $200,000 for large firms, $115,000 for small ones.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  Major engineering services ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Site Preparation Contractors</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3283.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US site preparation contractor industry includes about 40,000 companies with combined annual revenue of $47 billion. Major companies include American Equipment Company, American Infrastructure, Granite Construction, Hayward Baker, and Jacobsen Construction. More than 80 percent of site prep contracting businesses have fewer than 10 employees. Many site prep contractors operate as unincorporated sole proprietorships, without permanent employees.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Construction and demolition projects drive demand for site prep contractors. The profitability of individual companies depends on accurate bidding and optimal deployment of personnel and equipment. Large companies have advantages in handling multiple types of projects simultaneously. Small companies can compete effectively by subcontracting their services to larger firms, specializing by type of work, or becoming a preferred contractor for local builders and developers. Small companies often compete with solo owner-operators who hire temporary workers and rent equipment as needed.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  Major services are land clearing and excavation, preparation for construction, ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Marinas</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3277.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[About 4,300 commercial marinas, excluding private yacht clubs, operate in the US, with combined annual revenue of $4 billion. Large companies include Westrec Marinas, Flagship Marinas, and California Yacht Marina. Only about 50 operators own more than one marina. Most marinas are privately owned, but some are operated by municipalities or state agencies.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Sales and ownership of power- and sailboats create demand for marina services. The profitability of an individual marina depends on location and good marketing. Large and multi-location marinas have the resources to advertise and negotiate better prices with suppliers, builders, and maintenance firms. Small marinas can compete by offering customized services or preferred locations. The industry is labor-intensive: annual average revenue per worker is about $100,000.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  The main business of marinas is renting slips (dockside spaces) and moorings (anchored buoys). Marinas also sell fuel and other items, provide maintenance services, sell food, and provide winter ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Tire Dealers</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3288.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US tire dealers industry includes about 11,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $22 billion. Large companies include Discount Tire, Les Schwab Tire Centers, TBC Corporation, and retail units of manufacturers Bridgestone and Goodyear. The industry is fragmented: the 50 largest companies generate about 45 percent of revenue.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Demand for replacement tires is tied to vehicle usage, which in turn depends on economic activity. The profitability of individual companies depends on marketing, since the product is largely a commodity. Large companies benefit from economies of scale in purchasing and advertising. Small firms can compete effectively by specializing (such as in tires for high-end cars or farm equipment) or by joining purchasing/distribution networks. The industry is labor-intensive: average annual revenue per employee is about $140,000.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  Dealers sell replacement tires for passenger cars (55 percent of the market) and commercial vehicles (25 percent). The industry includes tire-specific stores, ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Tire Wholesalers</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3290.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US tire wholesalers industry includes about 1,200 companies with combined annual revenue of about $20 billion. Major companies include American Tire Distributors and TBC Corporation. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 70 percent of revenue.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Demand depends on consumer income and driving volume. The profitability of individual companies is linked to merchandising and marketing. Large wholesalers have economies of scale in distribution, support of national accounts, and advertising and promotion. Small companies can compete by specializing in types of tires or applications (such as for farm equipment or motorcycles) or by offering superior service and support. The industry is capital-intensive: annual revenue per employee is close to $600,000.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  Tire wholesalers sell new replacement automobile tires (50 percent of revenue); new replacement truck, bus, and industrial tires (40 percent); and used or retreaded tires (less than 10 percent). (Original tires for new cars are ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Architects Offices</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3263.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US architecture industry includes about 17,000 firms with combined annual revenue of $20 billion. Large firms include Gensler, HOK, and Perkins+Will. The industry is highly fragmented: only about 100 firms have annual revenue of more than $100 million. The typical architecture firm has 10 employees and annual revenue of $1 million.   COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Demand for architects' services depends heavily on the volume of residential and commercial construction. Because most costs are fixed, profitability depends on a constant inflow of work. Architectural firms are often small because there are few economies of scale in the industry: architectural design can be done as well, and for the same cost, by a small or large company.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  Architects prepare detailed plans that can be used by construction companies to build or modify various types of structures. Most architectural work has both an aesthetic and an engineering component. About 60 percent of typical ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Snapshots Netherlands Commercial Vehicles 2009</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R512-12158.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[Snapdata's Snapshots Netherlands Commercial Vehicles 2009 provides 2008 year-end market size data, with 2009 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the Dutch commercial vehicle market and covers light, medium and heavy commerical vehicles. It does not include used commercial vehicles or commercial vehicle stock. Market volume is based on new registrations. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots Netherlands Commercial Vehicles 2009 forms part of Snapdata's Automotive industry ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Snapshots US Commercial Vehicles 2009</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R512-12159.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[Snapdata's Snapshots US Commercial Vehicles 2009 provides 2008 year-end market size data, with 2009 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the US commercial vehicle market and covers LCV, MCV and HCV. It does not include the used vehicles or vehicle stocks. Market volume is based on new registrations. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots US Commercial Vehicles 2009 forms part of Snapdata's Automotive industry ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Military Energy, Fuels and Power Sources Market 2009-2019</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R155-388.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[Our new defence report - Military Energy, Fuels and Power Sources Market 2009-2019 - assesses the evolving opportunities presented by one of the defence industry&rsquo;s growing markets. Our market study examines the leading military consumers of energy, fuels and power sources and assesses the range of factors that are driving global sales growth.
  
Our analysis has concluded that worldwide spending on military energy, fuels and power sources in 2008 totalled $34.5bn. We analyse the combination of factors that are resulting in increasing spending on energy by armed forces around the world and examine the most promising areas of research into alternative energy sources which are likely to come to fruition over our forecast period.
  
We examine the commercial prospects for companies involved in supplying fuels and power sources in the military energy marketplace. This analytical report defines the current state of the military energy, fuels and power sources ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>EMEA High-Tech Industry Update: July to September 2009</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R104-40490.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[ This IDC Manufacturing Insights quarterly update analyzes the business environment and trends for the high-tech manufacturing sector in Europe (EU27 + EFTA countries are considered in the analysis) in 3Q09.  In this report we have chosen to underline the main trends, industry news, and IT contracts inked in two subsectors:   High-tech OEM  Semiconductor and components   This update covers the following:   Analysis of trends in the high-tech manufacturing sector, based on our global performance index (GPI), which tracks growth metrics of more than 800 publicly traded global firms in the manufacturing industry  Industry news with significant impact on the European high-tech manufacturing industry  Analysis of ICT investment directions in Europe's high-tech manufacturing sector, including an outline of the major ICT contracts that were ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Semiconductor Perspectives: November 9, 2009</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R104-40464.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[ This IDC update presents:   Highlights from IDC's  Worldwide Quarterly Electronics Manufacturing Services Vendor Shares Version 2, 2009, Pivot Table: 2Q09   Highlights from IDC's  Worldwide x86 PC Core Logic Chipset 3Q09 Vendor Shares   Highlights from IDC's  Atheros' New Align Products Add to a Crowded Field of WLAN ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>The Military Aircraft Avionics Market 2009-2019 - this new defence report explains how and why this market will experience continued growth. </title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R155-387.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[Our latest defence report - The Military Aircraft Avionics Market 2009-2019 - reveals the dynamic opportunities presented by one of the defence industry&rsquo;s few growing markets. Our market study examines leading users of military aircraft avionics systems, and explores the operational requirements which are driving global growth in this sector. We assess the commercial prospects and outlook for companies offering military aircraft avionics systems. This analytical report defines the current state of the military aircraft avionics market and discusses its potential for growth from 2009 onwards, with market forecasting at the global and national levels. 

   

Based on our research, global government spending in 2009 on military aircraft avionics systems, across all platforms, will total $13.5bn. We analyse, quantify and forecast the global military aircraft avionics markets by sub-sector for fighter jets, large transporters, helicopters, manned airborne ISR systems and UAVs. We also analyse, quantify and ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Australia Infrastructure Report Q1 2010</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R302-8713.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[New Data  This quarter BMI has introduced a new data series for infrastructure and its subsectors (transport andenergy & utilities). This is an effort to address a significant deficiency in the availability of globallycomparable, infrastructure-specific indicators and forecasts across a wide range of countries. BMI's newinfrastructure data series enables users to quantify trends and growth patterns in the infrastructure sectorsof the 35 main emerging and developed markets out of the 62 countries in BMI's infrastructure service.  Industry Forecasts  Kevin Rudd's government in May 2009 unveiled its second budget, the centrepiece of which was anothermulti-billion-dollar provision for infrastructure projects. The budget allocated AUD22bn (US$16.5bn) foreconomic (transport and energy) and social (education and healthcare) infrastructure projects in 2009-2010. Combined, the government has pledged more than US$45bn for infrastructure for 2009-2011. Yet,despite the high level of public investment in infrastructure, the private sector has proved weaker than wehad earlier estimated. As a result, we have revised ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>China Infrastructure Report Q1 2010</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R302-8714.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[This quarter BMI has introduced a new data series for infrastructure and its subsectors (transport andenergy & utilities). This is an effort to address a significant deficiency in the availability of globallycomparable, infrastructure-specific indicators and forecasts across a wide range of countries. BMI's newinfrastructure data series enables users to quantify trends and growth patterns in the infrastructure sectorsof the 35 main emerging and developed markets out of the 62 countries in BMI's infrastructure service.  Over the next three years, China will invest CNY2trn (US$292.2bn) in rail construction, reports theXinhua news agency, with CNY247bn (US$36.1bn) spent in 2009 already. According to the figuresreleased for the first six months of 2009, investments in railway infrastructure increased by 155% over thesame period in 2008, to reach CNY201bn (US$29.4bn). Though official statistics have to be taken withcaution, the data do highlight tremendous investment in transport infrastructure in China.  One surprising finding from our new data is ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>India Infrastructure Report Q1 2010</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R302-8715.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[This quarter BMI has introduced a new data series for infrastructure and its subsectors (transport andenergy & utilities). This is an effort to address a significant deficiency in the availability of globallycomparable, infrastructure-specific indicators and forecasts across a wide range of countries. BMI's newinfrastructure data series enables users to quantify trends and growth patterns in the infrastructure sectorsof the 35 main emerging and developed markets out of the 62 countries in BMI's infrastructure service.  In BMI&rsquo;s Q110 India Infrastructure Report we are forecasting India&rsquo;s construction industry to post onlyminimal growth of 0.98% y-o-y in 2009/10. However, taking into account BMI&rsquo;s new data breakdown,we see far more potential in the infrastructure sector for the financial year, when we are anticipating it toregister 8.98% growth y-o-y. This figure far better represents the level of activity that we have seenrecorded on the ground in both the transport and utilities industry over the last quarter ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Czech Republic Infrastructure Report Q1 2010</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R302-8727.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[This quarter BMI has introduced a new data series for infrastructure and its subsectors (transport andenergy & utilities). This is an effort to address a significant deficiency in the availability of globallycomparable, infrastructure-specific indicators and forecasts across a wide range of countries. BMI's newinfrastructure data series enables users to quantify trends and growth patterns in the infrastructure sectorsof the 35 main emerging and developed markets out of the 62 countries in BMI's infrastructure service.  The Czech Republic has performed well compared with some of its neighbours but still faces difficultieswithin its infrastructure sector. BMI estimates that the infrastructure sector value will be US$11.66bn in2009 - a fall from the previous year&rsquo;s value of US$12.26bn. Despite this fall in value it represents anoverall increase in construction industry value as a percentage of GDP to 5.74%. The infrastructure sectorvalue as a percentage of total construction industry remains constant at 20.6%. This value is ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Turkey Infrastructure Report Q1 2010</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R302-8728.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[This quarter BMI has introduced new data series for infrastructure and its subsectors (transport andenergy & utilities). This is an effort to address a significant deficiency in the availability of globallycomparable, infrastructure-specific indicators and forecasts across a wide range of countries. BMI's newinfrastructure data series enables users to quantify trends and growth patterns in the infrastructure sectorsof the 35 main emerging and developed markets out of the 62 countries in BMI's infrastructure service.  According to our new data for Turkey, infrastructure industry value real growth for 2009 will contract by11.6% to reach TRY19.5bn (12.6bn). The contraction is symptomatic of reduced investments witnessedin both transport and energy and utilities throughout 2009. A strong recovery is in the cards though for2010 onwards, with infrastructure industry value registering annual average real growth of 12% to the endof our forecast period in 2014. Though energy and utilities infrastructure will contribute the lion&rsquo;s shareto total infrastructure ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Argentina Infrastructure Report Q1 2010</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R302-8734.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The country's construction industry has been hit especially hard by the economic downturn. According tothe national statistics agency, Indec, construction activity in the country fell by a seasonally adjusted7.2% in July 2009, compared with July 2008. However, there were signs of improvement on a month-onmonthbasis, as construction activity grew by 0.9% in July 2009 compared with June, according to theWall Street Journal. For August 2009, the year-on-year (y-o-y) decline in real construction sector activitywas 3.2%, on a seasonally adjusted basis. The month-on-month performance showed a rise of 1.8%,according to Indec. As such, data for these two months appeared to show that the sector may be starting tostabilise. However, broad economic data remained extremely weak, as the economy as a whole contractedby 0.8% in real terms in Q209, according to Indec.  Against this backdrop, there is no change to our core forecasts for Argentina&rsquo;s construction industry thisquarter. BMI estimates a contraction in ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>The Taiwanese Cable STB Application IC Market, 3Q 2009</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R760-676.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[This report presents market size forecast and recent quarter review of cable STB decoder chipset market volume, value, and ASP; also provides market volume, share, and ASP by solution as well as market volume, share, and chipset adoption by solution provider. The content of this report is based on primary data obtained through interviews with cable STB chipset providers. This report finds that Taiwanese cable STB chipset market volume and value, which saw double-digit sequential and year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2009, suffered from sequential and year-on-year declines in the second quarter of 2009. In the third quarter of 2009, the Taiwanese cable STB market was expected to see a strong rebound. It is anticipated that the strong market volume and value in the third quarter will continue into the fourth quarter of ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Painting and Wall Covering Contractors</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3254.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US painting and wall covering contractors industry includes about 40,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $14 billion. Large companies include National Coatings, FD Thomas, and Long Painting. The industry is highly fragmented: most companies are small; over 70 percent have fewer than five employees. A large local firm may have 250 employees and generate $40 million in annual revenue.  The industry includes companies that primarily paint building interiors or exteriors or that install interior wall coverings. Work includes new construction as well as maintenance and repair projects. Painting on roads, roofs, and wood paneling work are not included.   COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Building construction, renovation, and maintenance drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficiency of operations. Large companies can have advantages in efficiency by working multiple projects concurrently. Small companies can compete effectively by specializing in unusual or difficult applications and providing superior customer service. The industry is ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Highway and Street Construction</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3246.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US highway and street construction industry includes about 11,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $75 billion. Major companies include divisions of large construction companies such as Bechtel Group, Fluor, Jacobs Engineering, and KBR. The industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 15 percent of industry revenue.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Demand is largely driven by the availability of government roadbuilding funds. The profitability of individual companies depends on operating efficiencies and the ability to correctly estimate costs. Big companies have the resources and engineering skills necessary for large construction jobs. Small companies can compete effectively by bidding for smaller projects or by working as subcontractors on large projects. The work is labor-intensive: annual revenue per employee is about $200,000.  PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY  The US has about 2.5 million miles of paved roads and 1.5 million miles of unpaved roads. New street and highway construction can involve complicated engineering, ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Truck and Bus Manufacturing</title>
<link>http://www.mindbranch.com/products/R3470-3260.html</link>
<description> <![CDATA[The US heavy truck and bus manufacturing industry includes about 80 companies with combined annual revenue of about $25 billion. Major companies include PACCAR (Peterbilt and Kenworth); Navistar International; Daimler Trucks North America (Freightliner); Volvo Trucks North America; and Blue Bird. The industry is highly concentrated: the top 20 companies account for about 95 percent of revenue.  The industry includes companies that manufacture and assemble complete vehicles and companies that supply vehicle chassis to assembly plants.  COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  Heavy truck demand is driven by growth in the agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and retail sectors. Bus demand is driven by growth in the number of school-aged children and investment in public transportation systems. The profitability of individual companies depends on volume and sales of high-margin options. Small manufacturers compete by supplying parts to other assemblers or by offering highly customized products. The industry is capital-intensive: annual sales per employee are about $750,000.  The industry competes with ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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