In manufacturing, medium-size can be a tough platform for growth. Most midsize manufacturers are just as capital-intensive, and just as subject to global cost and price pressures as large enterprises. Yet they lack the resources of their bigger rivals to exploit revenue and sourcing opportunities around the globe.

Many midsize manufacturers-particularly in Asia-Pacific-are nonetheless bullish about their growth prospects, even as economic clouds gather over key country markets. Well over half-61-of executives of medium-size producers surveyed for this study expect their firms to achieve annual revenue growth of 15% or more over the next three years. Nearly as many-55%-see similar growth in profits. Rising costs and downward price pressure, however, are acknowledged as significant obstacles to the realisation of these plans.