Cartus Industry Profiles are based on data gathered in the Cartus 2014 Global Mobility Policy & Practices survey, and present brief but detailed snapshots of the different ways in which individual industries approach key issues related to the handling of their relocation programs. This profile looks at the Manufacturing/Construction industry, which also encompasses the Machinery, Aerospace, Instruments, Construction, and Engineering segments.

Challenges of Manufacturing/Construction

Many of this sector’s opportunities are in developing economies, whose consumer markets, although promising, offer numerous challenges such as rising wages, a potential shortage of highly skilled talent, and other factors that contribute to an uncertain environment. This is particularly significant, as the top reason cited by Manufacturing/Construction respondents for increased mobility activity was expansion into emerging markets (67%, versus 50% named by all respondents). This represents a nearly 20% increase over responses from the 2012 Policy & Practices survey, when emerging markets was also the leading relocation driver, named by 48% of Manufacturing/Construction respondents.

Meeting Talent Needs

This sector, like others, saw increased demands for flexibility in their mobility programs. However, they differed in some of the approaches they were using in response, with ad hoc solutions and alternative policy forms employed at a higher rate than by survey respondents overall. The increased use of these approaches may be due to the need to respond to “unknowns” in these newer markets.

Mobility Activity Outlook

When asked whether mobility activity will increase over the next few years, Manufacturing/Construction companies’ responses jibed with those of all respondents’, both at 50%. However, several categories of assignment types differed notably.

To request the Manufacturing/Construction sector profile, or a profile for another industry sector, contact your Cartus representative or email TrustedGuidance@Cartus.com.

Please also visit our Research and Trends web page for information on a wide variety of relocation-related topics.

In addition to the Manufacturing/Construction industry, Cartus also offers reporting on these industries:

• Finance
• Oil & Gas
• Consumer Goods
• Pharma
• Raw Materials
• Service/Media
• Technology