Author Archives: Jack Plunkett

There are approximately 250 million cars and light trucks in operation in the United States. Around the world, there were about 1.1 billion vehicles on the road in 2014, a number that is growing by roughly 50 million yearly.

All major car makers are aggressively pushing their smaller, high efficiency vehicles due to both high gasoline prices and government mandates that auto manufacturers meet high average miles-per-gallon rules. At the same time, engineers are pushing technological changes in their larger cars and trucks in order to enhance their fuel efficiency. GM is betting heavily on its Chevrolet Cruze, a small sedan capable of 36 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and stuffed with convenience features that consumers appreciate. Ford’s revamped Fusion earned rave reviews, and it comes in either a hybrid model or a standard engine version that gets 31 mpg on the highway. Chrysler is relying heavily on its relationship with Fiat for new, fuel efficient models. Honda, Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Peugeot all have invested in new, advanced small cars. All major luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Audi have relatively small cars on the market and will steadily introduce a wide range of fuel efficient designs. BMW introduced its iSeries high efficiency cars in 2013, including a three-cylinder engine that is part of a new plug-in hybrid. In 2012, the Obama Administration pushed through new fuel efficiency rules that will require an average 54.5 MPG for new cars and light trucks in 2025. This is creating a scramble at auto makers to design small, light vehicles that will still be popular with consumers—a difficult task at best. Car maker profits are likely to suffer in the process.

Both consumers and emissions regulators are taking a renewed interest in advanced automobile technologies. Clean diesel engines, like those offered in new cars from BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, offer exceptional performance and fuel economy while providing quiet, vibration-free running similar to that found in gasoline-powered cars. Clean diesel offers a particularly attractive alternative to hybrid technology for those who seek fuel efficiency, and it is already widely used in passenger vehicles in Europe. Meanwhile, the use of ethanol as a gasoline additive in America has grown rapidly, whether or not it makes any environmental or economic sense, thanks to requirements enacted by Congress.

Meanwhile, technology advancements are driving greater safety in vehicles. Cars that are at least partially self-driving will be widely available by 2025, which may reduce accidents by 20% to 50%, depending. Hybrid and plug-in cars featuring advanced, lightweight, long-range batteries based on nanotechnology may be on the market by 2025. A looming question for auto makers is how demand for cars will change, as young consumers are becoming less interested in owning cars and are leaning towards car-sharing services like Zipcar and ride services like Uber.

For more data and statistics on the automobile industry, see
http://plunkettresearch.com/automobiles-trucks-market-research/industry-and-business-data

 

Plunkett’s Automobile Industry Almanac 2015 Edition

568 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-62831-342-0
Price: 349.99
Published Date: October 2014

 

 

 

In the U.S., analysts, executives and government planners are introduced to a vital question: whether or not American manufacturing is entering a period of renaissance.

The answer is both yes and no. Manufacturing employment has increased modestly in recent months, growing by a total of 201,000 during 2012 and 79,000 in 2013. (2014 has likewise shown gains so far.) There were approximately 12 million people employed in manufacturing in the U.S. as of 2013, growing steadily since the depths of the recent recession, but down dramatically from 19 million in 1980. Much of manufacturing’s recent rebound has been driven by large improvements in the automobile sector, along with strong demand for oil and gas field equipment as well as medical supplies and building materials.

However, advances in factory productivity, including growing investment in robotics, will dampen job creation. In other words, factory output can easily increase faster than factory employment due to growing investment in robotics.

Today, the growing use of robotics as well as the rising wages and other costs in offshore manufacturing centers, particularly China, is fueling intense debate about the future of global manufacturing. Supply chain managers on the corporate side, along with analysts and planners on the government and economic side, are attempting to develop strategies for dealing with these changes on a nation-by-nation basis. To begin with, costs are clearly rising substantially in China, which has long been the world’s manufacturing growth engine. The most important change is the very dynamic situation in wages paid to Chinese factory workers. Wages have been rising steadily, growing 14% on average during 2012 and 12.3% during 2011. For 2013 and 2014, increases are estimated at 10% to 15% per year.

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) estimated the total, worldwide base of operational industrial robots at the end of 2012 was about 1.5 million. Plunkett Research estimates that this base will expand to approximately 1.8 million by the end of 2014. The global value of industrial robots sold during 2012 was placed by IFR at $8.7 billion. The total value of robotic systems, including software, accessories and engineering, sold during 2014 will total approximately $29 billion, according to Plunkett Research. Industrial robots are selling at a rate of about 162,000 yearly as of 2014.

Robotics are most visible in manufacturing plants, where they can run efficiently 24/7. However, by 2025, we will see wide use of “service” robots in such tasks as hospital and hotel services (cleaning, carrying and communicating), and similar uses in restaurants and retail stores. The likely growth in the minimum wage in the U.S., combined with the growing capabilities and dropping prices of service robots, will foster this trend.

For more data and statistics on the Manufacturing & Robotics industry, see
http://plunkettresearch.com/manufacturing-factory-automation-robotics-market-research/industry-and-business-data

Plunkett’s Manufacturing & Robotics Industry Almanac 2015 Edition 

699 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-60879-727-1
Price: 349.99
Published Date: September 2014

 

 

 

HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis reference report, Plunkett’s Wireless, Wi-Fi, RFID & Cellular Industry Almanac, 2015 edition. A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms.

Global wireless subscriptions for cell phones and mobile devices total nearly 7 billion. Advanced cellular technologies, such as LTE and HSPA, are providing lightning-fast access to voice, text and the Internet. Smartphones and tablets like the iPad are selling at a blazing pace worldwide. In fact, mobile devices are rapidly replacing desktop PCs as the computing device of choice, which makes wireless service more vital.

Key Features Include:

  • Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence
  • Market forecasts and industry statistics
  • Industry associations list
  • Profiles of leading companies

Pages: 445

Statistical Tables Provided: 10
Companies Profiled: 297
Geographic Focus: Global
Price: $349.99

Key Questions Answered Include:

  • How is the industry evolving?
  • How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
  • How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
  • What is the size of the market now and in the future?
  • What are the financial results of the leading companies?
  • What are the names and titles of top executives?
  • What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

The value-packed book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the wireless and cellular business, including:

  1. Analysis of wireless and cellular telecommunications business trends, technologies and markets, including 3G, 4G, LTE and HSPA
  2. Wireless and cellular telephone industry statistics and tables
  3. An analysis of consumer trends in advanced mobile markets
  4. An analysis of wireless networks and wireless Internet access, including the use of Wi-Fi, MIMO and WiMax, Bluetooth and Ultra Wide Band (UWB)

Companies Mentioned Include:

  • AAPT Limited
  • Best Buy Co Inc
  • Iliad SA
  • Mobistar SA
  • RadioShack Corporation

About Plunkett Research, Ltd.

Plunkett Research is a leading provider of industry trends analysis and market research. Plunkett’s products save time and effort when you need competitive intelligence, market research or marketing data.

Contact:

Plunkett Research, Ltd.
plunkettresearch.com
713.932.0000 (US)
info@plunkettresearch.com

 

HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis reference report, Plunkett’s Sports Industry Almanac, 2015 edition. A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms.

The sports business is a dynamic and growing industry in the U.S., Europe, Asia Pacific and elsewhere. In addition to major sporting leagues and teams, related sectors include sporting goods manufacturing, sports apparel, sporting events broadcasting and retailing. In addition, sports and the athletes who play in sports by their nature, attract companies interested in endorsements, advertising, merchandising and marketing opportunities. Our Plunkett’s Sports Industry data covers these sectors in detail, giving users convenient access to sports business data.

Key Features Include:

  • Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence
  • Market forecasts and industry statistics
  • Industry associations list
  • Profiles of leading companies

Pages: 501

Statistical Tables Provided: 10
Companies Profiled: 368
Geographic Focus: Global
Price: $349.99

Key Questions Answered Include:

  • How is the industry evolving?
  • How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
  • How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
  • What is the size of the market now and in the future?
  • What are the financial results of the leading companies?
  • What are the names and titles of top executives?
  • What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

This information-packed book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the sports, sporting goods, sports marketing, stadiums, teams, and leagues business, including:

  1. Analysis of sports business trends and markets
  2. Historical sports industry statistics and tables
  3. Profiles of major sporting goods manufacturers and retailers
  4. Profiles of golf equipment and resort firms
  5. Profiles of leading stadiums and stadium managers
  6. A discussion of changes in sports broadcasting, such as sports cable networks, pay per view, video on demand, Internet broadcasting, satellite radio coverage and mobile broadcasting, including advertising opportunities

Companies Mentioned Include:

  • Atlanta Braves
  • Dover Motorsports Inc
  • Intrawest Resorts Holding
  • Manchester United PLC
  • PUMA SE

About Plunkett Research, Ltd.

Plunkett Research is a leading provider of industry trends analysis and market research. Plunkett’s products save time and effort when you need competitive intelligence, market research or marketing data.

Contact:

Plunkett Research, Ltd.
plunkettresearch.com
713.932.0000 (US)
info@plunkettresearch.com

 

HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis reference report, Plunkett’s Outsourcing & Offshoring Industry Almanac, 2015 edition. A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms.

Outsourcing of all types, along with the offshoring of business processes and contract manufacturing, continues to create massive change in the world of business. This revolution creates both opportunities and challenges for organizations, managers and professionals of all types. Plunkett’s Outsourcing & Offshoring Industry Almanac covers these sectors in detail.

Key Features Include:

  • Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence
  • Market forecasts and industry statistics
  • Industry associations list
  • Profiles of leading companies

Pages: 424

Statistical Tables Provided: 9
Companies Profiled: 301
Geographic Focus: Global
Price: $349.99

What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

Key Questions Answered Include:

  • How is the industry evolving?
  • How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
  • How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
  • What is the size of the market now and in the future?
  • What are the financial results of the leading companies?
  • What are the names and titles of top executives?
  • What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

This information-packed book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the offshoring, outsourcing and BPO business, including:

  1. Analysis of outsourcing and offshoring business trends and markets
  2. A discussion of globalization, trends in world trade, and the use of offshore services and manufacturing centers, such as India, China and the Philippines
  3. Profiles of leading financial services outsourcing and payment processing companies
  4. Profiles of global outsourced logistics, distribution and supply chain companies
  5. An analysis of BPO (business process outsourcing) and KPO (knowledge process outsourcing), including offshore professional services

Companies Mentioned Include:

  • Balfour Beatty plc
  • CACI International Inc
  • Expeditors International of Washington Inc
  • Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Ltd
  • NCR Corporation

About Plunkett Research, Ltd.

Plunkett Research is a leading provider of industry trends analysis and market research. Plunkett’s products save time and effort when you need competitive intelligence, market research or marketing data.

Contact:

Plunkett Research, Ltd.
plunkettresearch.com
713.932.0000 (US)
info@plunkettresearch.com

 

HOUSTON, Texas – Plunkett Research, Ltd. recently announced an important market research and competitive analysis reference report, Plunkett’s Games, Apps & Social Media Industry Almanac, 2015 edition. A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms.

Three of the most exciting areas in the world of information technology have tremendous synergies and are closely connected in the worlds of information and entertainment: electronic games, mobile apps and social media. As social media becomes more global, it is also being incorporated into virtually all online activities, from business collaboration to online retailing. Games are growing in two channels at once: online and offline. Apps are also changing the shape of the mobile and wireless industry.

Key Features Include:

  • Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence
  • Market forecasts and industry statistics
  • Industry associations list
  • Profiles of leading companies

Pages: 322

Statistical Tables Provided: 16
Companies Profiled: 191
Geographic Focus: Global
Price: $349.99

Key Questions Answered Include:

  • How is the industry evolving?
  • How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
  • How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
  • What is the size of the market now and in the future?
  • What are the financial results of the leading companies?
  • What are the names and titles of top executives?
  • What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

This information-packed book covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the games, apps and social media business and much more, including:

  1. User generated content drives social media and generates ad revenues
  2. Social media privacy concerns plague the industry
  3. New platforms revolutionize electronic games
  4. 3-D games open new opportunities/some safety concerns arise
  5. Big trends include new mobile tablet devices like Apple’s iPad
  6. Multi-player gaming (MMORPGs) is strong worldwide

Companies Mentioned Include:

  • Capcom Co Ltd
  • GameFly Inc
  • Microsoft Corp
  • Sony Corporation
  • Youku Tudou Inc
  • Zynga Inc

About Plunkett Research, Ltd.

Plunkett Research is a leading provider of industry trends analysis and market research. Plunkett’s products save time and effort when you need competitive intelligence, market research or marketing data.

Contact:

Plunkett Research, Ltd.
plunkettresearch.com
713.932.0000 (US)
info@plunkettresearch.com

 

This is the second of a brief series of emails to show you how to get the most out of the new Industry Analytics tool that is now available within Plunkett Research Online.

Let’s say you want to know how employment within department stores has changed over time.

First, go to the Search All Center on Plunkett Research Online. Here, you will be able to choose from hundreds of specific industries.

Click Industry Analytics.
 

Use the drop down menu to start your search.
In the Filter Keyword box, enter “Department Stores.” Click Filter.

Then, click Employment and Establishments.

Here, you will find a seven-year history of employment, number of firms, establishments and more.

You can see that the employee count declined from 639,100 in 2007 to 532,200 in 2013. You can also see that the largest drop was in 2009, -7.66%.

And, there’s a lot more vital data in the page you just created.

Further down the page, you can see that the average yearly sales per establishment also dropped, from $19.8 million in 2007 to $17.6 million in 2013.

Finally, you will see that the average sales per employee has also dropped, from $123,635 in 2007 to $120,043 in 2013.

That’s the power of Plunkett Analytics at work! If you are a current subscriber, then please log in to www.plunkettresearchonline.com to try out Analytics today!

If you are not a subscriber, please contact us for your free trial access at info@plunkettresearch.com

 

This is the first of a brief series of emails to show you how to get the most out of the new Industry Analytics tool that is now available within Plunkett Research Online.

Let’s say you want to know the size of the natural gas utilities industry in the U.S., by revenues, and by employee count. While you’re at it, you’d like to see the projected growth of the industry.

First, within Plunkett Research Online, go to your targeted Industry Research Center. In this case, the Energy & Utilities center makes sense.

Click Industry Analytics.
 

Select the industry that you are interested in from the drop down menu, in this case select 221200 Natural Gas Utilities.

Then click on Industry Summary.

Now, with just a couple of clicks, you’ve gotten straight to the data you want: the most recent revenues for this industry ($111 billion) and the employee count (110,300). You’ve also found the projected yearly growth rate (0.79%) as well as projected revenues for the year 2021 ($126 billion).

By the way, the Industry Summary that you’ve generated includes convenient links to profiles of the industry’s leading companies.

While we’re at it, let’s find the number of firms in this industry. Click back to the Analytics page. Click Employment and Establishments.

Here you will find the number of gas utilities firms (445) and the number of offices/establishments (2,450) for the latest year, plus historical information. In addition, you will find average revenues per company ($119.3 million) and per employee ($771,880).

That’s the power of Plunkett Analytics at work! If you are a current subscriber, then please log in to www.plunkettresearchonline.com to try out Analytics today!

If you are not a subscriber, please contact us for your free trial access at info@plunkettresearch.com

 

Advanced generations of drugs developed through biotechnology continue to enter the marketplace.

The results may be very promising for patients, as a technology-driven tipping point of medical care is approaching, where drugs that target specific genes and proteins may eventually become widespread. However, it continues to be difficult and expensive to introduce a new drug in the U.S.

Dozens of exciting new drugs for the treatment of dire diseases such as cancer, AIDS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are either on the market or are very close to regulatory approval. In a few instances, doctors are now beginning to make treatment decisions based on a patient’s genetic makeup.

Stem cell research is moving ahead briskly on a global basis, and a handful of doctors around the world are now collecting a human patient’s stem cells, cultivating them in a laboratory and reinjecting them into the patient. Many claim dramatic results from this method, in treatment of spine and joint problems, cardiac disease and other conditions. The procedure can cost thousands of dollars and remains experimental. Noted Americans who recently used this procedure include Governor Rick Perry of Texas and New York Yankees baseball team pitcher Bartolo Colon.

Personal genetic codes are becoming less expensive and more widely attainable. Today, the cost of decoding the most important sections of the human genome for an individual patient has dropped dramatically.

Although total drug expenditures are currently small in developing nations such as India, China and Brazil, these markets have tremendous potential over the mid-term. This means that major international drug makers will be expanding their presence in these nations. However, it also means that local drug manufacturers have tremendous incentive to invest in research and marketing. For example, China has made drug research a priority, and Chinese drug research spending grew by 33% yearly from 2007 through 2012
 

For more data and statistics on the global biotech business, see

http://plunkettresearch.com/biotech-drugs-genetics-market-research/industry-and-business-data

Our Biotech & Genetics Industry Almanac 2015 is your key understanding to this growing industry.

Plunkett’s Biotechnology & Genetics Industry Almanac 2015 Edition

568 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-62831-340-6
Price: 349.99
Published Date: September 2014

 

 

 

The Sports Industry is a business combined of the “Big 4” in America, which include the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB).

The “Big 4” brings in about $23 billion in revenue during a typical year, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. U.S. sporting equipment sales at retail sporting goods stores are $44.1 billion yearly. A reasonable estimate of the total U.S. sports market would be $485 billion yearly (and $1.5 trillion for the entire world).

When the astonishing variety of sports-related sectors is considered, a significant portion of the workforce in developed nations such as the U.S., UK, Australia and Japan rely on the sports industry for their livelihoods. In 2013, in the U.S there were 13,880 professional athletes plus 206,808 coaches and scouts, along with 16,140 umpires, referees and officials. Meanwhile, about 523,400 Americans work in fitness centers, 40,700 in snow skiing facilities, 68,300 in bowling centers and 349,900 at country clubs or golf courses. In total, approximately 1.3 million Americans work directly in amusement and recreation sectors. Another 49,800 work in the wholesale trade of sporting goods and 270,000 in retail sporting goods stores

Sports, recreation and related supplies and services have been among the greatest new job engines over the past two years, and virtually all of these sectors are up substantially in job count since 2011.

For more data and statistics on the global sports business, see
http://plunkettresearch.com/sports-recreation-leisure-market-research/industry-and-business-data

Our new Sports Industry Almanac 2015 is your key understanding to the global sports business.

 

Plunkett’s Sports Industry Almanac 2015 Edition

501 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-62831-335-2
Price: 349.99
Published Date: July 2014