November 2008 - During the second quarter of 2008, the Small Business Research Board, Buffalo Grove, Ill., reported that the Manufacturing Industry Small Business Confidence Index declined 11.66 points from the first quarter. Fort-eight percent of polled owners and managers of manufacturing companies expect the economy to worsen over the next 12 months, and 41 percent anticipate increased revenues. For the quarter, 58 percent of respondents reported inflationary pressures, 64 percent raised prices and 33 percent increased shipping and handling costs.