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Indicators
Economic stats and small business trends
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
2005 Breaks New Records
For the first time in history, small businesses received a record-breaking $79.6
billion in federal prime contracts, $10 billion more than the year before. The
contracts represented 25.4 percent of federal prime contracting dollars in FY
2005, surpassing the overall government statutory goal of 23 percent for the
third consecutive year. The small business contracting data was reported by
the government’s Federal Procurement Data-Next Generation (FPDS-NG) system.
The data show that the federal government purchased $314 billion worth of goods
and services from businesses large and small. Tiffani Clements: 202.401.0035.
Recovery Loans Surpass $10 Billion
With 99.5 percent of applications processed, the U.S. Small Business Administration
has approved an unprecedented $10 billion in disaster loans following last year’s
devastating hurricanes. More than 21,750 businesses in the disaster zone have
been approved for $2.3 billion worth of loans. The approval rate for business
disaster loans stands at 51 percent. For homeowners and renters, 130,436 loans
worth $7.7 billion have been approved. Carol Chastang: 202.205.6987.
OSHA
First Aid “QuickTips” Offered From OSHA
OSHA requires employers to make first-aid supplies readily available to their
employees, but the Medical Services and First-Aid standards have not dictated
what should be included in a first-aid kit. To rectify this, OSHA has released
the following recommendations for employers, based on the American National
Standard Institute’s Minimum Requirements for Workplace First-Aid Kits.
The basic products needed for various on the job injuries include:
- Absorbent compress, 32 sq. in. [no side < 4”] (1);
adhesive bandages, 1” x 3” (16);
- Adhesive tape, 5 yd. (1); antiseptic, .5g application (10);
- Burn treatment, .5g application (6); medical exam gloves (2 pair); and
- Sterile pads, 3” x 3” (4); triangular bandage, 40” x 40”
x 56” (1).
OSHA also recommends that employers routinely survey their specific workplace
needs and supplement first-aid kits accordingly.
OSHA Sends a Reminder—Posters and Publications are Free
OSHA recently issued a reminder to employers that official posters, such as
the OSHA Workplace Poster, and most OSHA publications are available at no cost
to anyone that requests them. Posters and publications can be requested at OSHA’s
publications page (www. osha.gov/pls/publications) or by calling the publications
office at 202.693.1888.
Discover Who’s SHARP with OSHA’s New Web Page
OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) program
recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management
system. To further expand this program, the agency has developed a new “Who’s
Newly SHARP” web page, featuring the latest list of companies recently
certified as SHARP sites. To access the new page, or for more information on
how to be SHARP certified, visit www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/sharp.html.
Additional safety and health “QuickTips” will be featured in each
issue of OSHA’s online newsletter QuickTakes. Sub¬scribe to QuickTakes
at www.osha.gov/pls/quicktakes/e_subscribe.subscribe.
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
NAM Supports Suspension of WTO Doha Round Negotiations
NAM recently announced its support of the indefinite suspension of the World
Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round negotiations. NAM has been a strong supporter
of a Doha Round that would cut foreign barriers to U.S. exports, but believes
the current Doha Round negotiations have the U.S. giving up too much, and not
getting enough in return. NAM President John Engler said “The NAM remains
committed to trade liberalization, but it must be a winner for all—not
simply a deal in which the United States gives more but doesn’t gain access
to other markets.” The current negotiations are suspended indefinitely,
but according to NAM, U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Susan Schwab, remains
committed to a Doha Round outcome that will enable the U.S. to achieve the goals
established in 2001—a balanced negotiation that is beneficial to all parties.
Manufacturing Compensation Guide Available
NAM has released the 26th edition of Compensation in Manufacturing, an eight-volume
publication, which includes the most comprehensive, manufacturing-specific salary
information. The new edition covers salary information on almost 200 manufacturing
positions to help employers assess how to fairly compensate employees by creating
a better salary and wage structure. To access an order form visit www.nam.org/compensationinmanufacturing.
Fineran Testifies for Regulatory Reform
NAM’s Vice-President for Legal and Regulatory Reform Policy Lawrence Fineran
testified on regulatory reform in front of the House Small Business Committee’s
Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight. As Fineran informed the committee,
regulatory review is a key element of the administration’s Manufacturing
Initiative, in which NAM has worked to identify problem regulations and suggest
modifications. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has developed
the “List of 76”, a list of regulations—created using NAM’s
information and input from other groups—that will be focused on for regulatory
reform. For more information on this or others issues regarding legal or regulatory
reform, contact Larry Fineran at 202.637.3174, or lfinderan@nam.org.
Business Optimism Falls Slightly
The Index of Small Business Optimism is feeling faint, falling 1.8 points in
June to 96.7 (1986-100). Weaker job creation plans accounted for 25 percent
of the fall in the Index, weaker inventory investment plans contributed to another
15 percent and expectations for sales growth 35 percent. Small business owners
see a slowdown coming and are scaling back plans to spend and hire. Jordan Vendetti:
jordan.vendetti@nfib.org; www.nfib.org.
Trends:
Will Your Nest Egg Go Before You Do?
Increasing life spans and poor planning are contributing to lack of funds after
retirement, reported MSNBC. The Employee Benefits Research Institute conducted
a survey in April, which reported that half of current workers plan to survive
on 70 percent of their income, but that two-thirds of retirees claim it is not
enough. Likewise, more than half of workers 55 and older have less than $50,000
saved for retirement. www.msnbc.msn.com.
Middle-aged Men Get Picky
The number of unemployed men between the ages of 30 and 55 has crept up to 13
percent from five percent in the 1960’s, reported The New York Times.
Many men at this age are unable to find jobs appealing or rewarding enough,
or any for which they are qualified, and decide to simply stay home, relying
on savings accounts, families, and home equity to survive. While most are blue-collar,
still some come from well-educated backgrounds. www.nytimes.com.
Robot Sales Slip in North America
New orders received by North American based robotics companies fell 38 percent
in the first half of 2006, according to statistics released by Robotic Industries
Association (RIA). Most of the losses occurred as a result of the cyclical downturn
in robot sales to the automotive industry, where new orders were down 52 percent.
However, sales to non-automotive companies fell just five percent, and actually
showed increases in food and consumer goods, life sciences/ pharmaceutical/biomedical,
and general industry. Overall, non-automotive robot sales accounted for 45 percent
of the new orders through June, up from 29 percent midway through 2005. Jeff
Burnstein: 734.994.6088.
Books
Achieving Strategic Excellence: An Assessment of Human Resource Organizations
Stanford University Press
By Edward E. Lawler III, John W. Bourdreau, Susan Albers Mohrman
The Center for Effective Organizations (CEO), with support from the Human Resource
Planning Society (HRPS), has released the fourth national study of the human
resources function in large corporations. It is the only long-term national
study of this important function. The study focuses on specific HR practices
and the progress within organizations during the period from 1995 to 2004. It
is the fourth and only national study of the HR function in large corporations,
and focuses on whether the HR function is changing to become an effective strategic
partner and analyzes how organizations can effectively manage their human capital.
Traci Bisson: 603.664.5776. www.marshall.usc.edu/ceo.
REPORTS AND STUDIES
- Global Market Review of Fuel Tanks – Forecasts to 2012, 2006 Edition,
www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Global Aerospace Market Forecast (2006-2009), www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Boat Building – Industry Profile, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Offshoring of Automotive Design and Engineering Services to India, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Lightweight Ballistic Composites for Military and Law-Enforcement Applications,
www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Foamed Plastics (Polyurethane) – Global Strategic Business Report,
www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Bicycles – Global Strategic Business Report, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- China Automobile Industry Forecast (2006-2010), www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Automotive Quarterly Review – Q2 2006, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Building Materials – Global Outlook 2006, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Chinese Markets for Cement and Concrete Additives, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Chinese Markets for Thermoset Plastics, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Floor Coverings – Industry Profile, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- Fuel Cells – Global Strategic Business Report, www.researchandmarkets.com.
- The Impact of Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts on Small Business,
www.sba.gov.
- Globalization of Engineering Services, NASSCOM/Booz Allen. Karen Guterl:
212.552.6516
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