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Sponsors of the D2P shows use this imaginative illustration to highlight the appeal of bringing job shops and potential customers together in a tradeshow setting.

Many OEMs and other companies that acquire custom parts and services from job shops and contract manufacturers attend the Design-2-Part (D2P) shows, which take place in different parts of the country throughout the year. A survey polled recent attendees of these shows to assess their needs for the coming year. Results of the survey indicated that business in the United States for the contract manufacturing industry is expected to increase in the next 12 months.

According to a news release, the results from slightly more than 2,000 survey respondents indicate that nearly three times as many OEMs expect an increase in outsourcing/purchasing projects as those who expect a decrease, outnumbering them by a ratio of 2.8 to 1. A little more than 31 percent said that they expect an increase, while only 11.1 percent anticipated a decrease and 57.8 percent conveyed that their outsourcing projects would remain the same. The Santa Clara, California region showed the highest percentage of respondents expecting an increase, at 40 percent, versus 4.4 percent expecting less outsourcing.

Perhaps the most interesting finding concerned offshoring. It may not be as popular as it once was. When asked where they currently outsource the majority of their projects, only 9.8 percent of respondents said “overseas.” Outsourcing locally was the leading choice at 32 percent, followed by regionally and nationally with 29.2 percent and 29 percent, respectively. When asked why they use local vendors, the leading reason given was “hands-on access/vendor visits,” which outpolled “delivery time/cost” and “support the local economy.”

The survey polled manufacturing engineers and purchasing personnel who attended one of 12 national D2P shows that took place in major manufacturing hubs across the United States in the last year. According to show sponsors, these shows are America’s largest and longest running design and contract manufacturing tradeshows.

For more information about the shows or to register for free show admission, visit .