HOLLAND, MI -The office furniture manufacturing industry is positive about capital investment for 2013, says analyst Michael A. Dunlap. In his latest quarterly MADA / OFI Trends Survey of office furniture industry and suppliers, Dunlap reports that the on a scale of 1-100 (1 is negative, 100 positive, 50 is neutral), respondents attitudes toward capital expenditures rose to 57.45 (it averages 55.34 historically).

Office furniture manufacturers see challenges in costs of healthcare, transport, energy, exchange rates, and the price of steel and wood, says analyst Michael A. Dunlap. These factors have been "the most commonly cited concerns from respondents since this survey process was started in August 2004," says Dunlap.

The January 2013 Overall Survey Index is (54.30), which is down slightly from October 2012, which was (54.68). The highest recorded Index was 59.72 in July 2005; the lowest was 41.45 in April 2009. The average overall index is 54.32 since the survey started in August 2004.

"The industry will continue on its slow growth period into early 2013, then see a modest acceleration during mid to late 2013,” Dunlap says.

The January 2013 MADA/OFI Trends survey was sent to more than 750 individuals involved with office furniture manufacturing and suppliers from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America at companies ranging from $10 million to more than $1 billion in sales.