And the survey says ...

When pP last surveyed diemakers, the business outlook had reached a plateau in the months immediately after the 9/11 attacks. More than half of the respondents were holding steady and taking a "wait-and-see" approach. Twelve months later, 50 percent say that their business climate is growing, and another 32 percent have at least maintained their status quo. That explains why eighty-six percent believed the current economic conditions have no effect on in-house operations, and half report no ill effects on their company's marketing initiatives. Equipment purchases were effected in terms of a 45 percent increase in purchasing, but 45 percent reported no effect and only 10 percent were forced into budget cuts.