Manufacturers expect sales to rise 4.3% over the next 12 months, the fastest pace in four years. They expect input costs to rise 5.0% and their own prices only 3.7%, according to NAM’s Q3 2026 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey.
What the article says
NAM surveyed 220 manufacturers between August 11 and 27, 2026. 78.9% are positive about their company’s outlook, up from 74.2% in the second quarter and the highest reading since Q2 2022. Respondents expect sales to rise 4.3% over the next 12 months (up from 3.3% last quarter) and production to rise 3.8% (up from 3.0%). They expect prices on their own product lines to rise 3.7%, down from 4.2%, while raw material and other input costs rise 5.0%. Increased raw material costs are the top business challenge for 80.8% of respondents. NAM chief economist Victoria Bloom: “Strong demand is fueling a notable increase in anticipated sales and production growth, both projected to rise 4.3% and 3.8%, respectively, the highest growth rates for both indexes since Q2 2022.”
Why it matters at the top of the house
The demand is there. The margin is not, unless someone makes the case for the price. Costs are expected to rise 5.0% and prices only 3.7%, so the gap lands on the P&L unless the quote carries more than a number. For a president, that case is a marketing job: the value the quote documents, the service the distributor can point to, and the reason a buyer pays 3.7% more and stays.
Source: NAM – National Association of Manufacturers, “2026 Third Quarter Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey,” by NAM (no byline; NAM chief economist Victoria Bloom quoted), September 14, 2026. Research: NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, Q3 2026. The Marketing Table shares the link and a note on why it matters; the article and its copyright belong to the publisher.
Leave a comment