Q3 Small Business Research Board Automotive/Vehicle Dealer Industry Key Issues Report: Fewer Auto, Other Vehicle Dealers Preparing for Growth Next 12 – 24 Months Says Latest SBRB Report   

Of  the owners and managers responding to the nationwide quarterly SBRB poll co-sponsored by International Profit Associates, 24% said they plan to expand their businesses the next 12 to 24 months.  This was a decrease of 5 points from the 29% who said during the second quarter that they were planning to expand their businesses.

NORTHFIELD, IL (November 7, 2007)  --  Fewer owners and managers of small automotive and other vehicle dealerships indicated during the third quarter of 2007 that they are planning for expansion during the next 12 to 24 months, according to the latest Small Business Research Board (SBRB) study released here today.

Prospective facilities based activities  --  expansion at current locations and the addition of new locations --  were noted by 40% of the respondents intending to expand as their primary methods for growing their businesses.  The addition of new locations topped the rankings with 24% of the vote while expansion at current locations was mentioned by 16% of the participants.  
           
Enhancing customer services capabilities had 19% of the vote.
           
The providing more services was cited by 16% of the companies and the addition of new products was cited by 14% during the third quarter as being their leading method for assisting in their business expansion in the coming months.  
           
Where productivity is concerned, the owners and managers of the small transportation companies said they would be most likely to add staff and improve employee training programs before embarking on other programs to boost efficiencies according to the SBRB Automotive & Vehicle Dealer Industry Report.   Enhancements to existing automation or technology or the addition of new automation or technology finished third and fourth respectively on the list of prospective productivity improvement measures.  The enhancement of employee incentive programs  finished fifth in the third quarter rankings.
           
More than 800 small businesses participated in the overall nationwide third quarter SBRB poll supported by IPA.  IPA, with more than 1,800 professionals, is the largest privately-held provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size businesses in North America. IPA is based in Buffalo Grove, IL.
The SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted quarterly.  The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the United States. 

The Small Business Research Board ascertains and reports the opinions of small business owners and managers on a wide variety of topics related to their own businesses as well as national and international issues that may impact their operations. The SBRB
conducts these studies for the benefit of small business owners and managers. The
SBRB also provides opportunities for third parties to gain real time insight into the
attitudes of small businesses nationwide through the independently conducted research.
The latest information about the Small Business Research Board can be found at
www.ipasbrb.com.
           
The SBRB also provides a quarterly Small Business Confidence Index (SBCI) for all US businesses as well as those in five industries in addition to trend reports for the transportation industry, among others.
           
Also as previously reported, the SBRB SBCI for all U.S. small businesses dropped to 43 during the third quarter, a decline of three points from the prior period.  The opinions and projections about the strength of the economy, revenues and hiring looking forward 12 months are the three key ingredients to determining the SBCI and providing the basis for these quarterly and annual comparisons.  The historical SBRB SBCI high occurred during the first quarter of 2005 when the SBCI hit 52 points.  The historical low was during the third quarter of 2005 when the SBCI fell to 39.3 points.
           
IPA and its more than 1,800 professionals offer a wide range of proven and innovative methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper regardless of the economic cycle. IPA either provides directly or through its affiliated companies a comprehensive array of business advisory services, tax and estate planning services or merger, acquisition and other financial advisory services in the United States and Canada. More information about IPA can be found at www.ipa-iba.com.

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