A return to positive margins in recent months is rejuvenating producer confidence to invest for the future for the first time in three years, according to the latest BPEX Confidence Survey.
That renewed confidence is also reflected in the attitudes of vets and members of the allied industry who responded to the survey.
On top of that, the industry is bullish in terms of improving its competitiveness relative to peers in the UK and in the rest of the EU which, in turn, means capital expenditure is planned on replacement buildings.
The survey was carried out at the start of the year both in hard copy and online and it included a section on BPEX, the results of which showed overall BPEX services were rated at between good and excellent.
The quality of BPEX services is viewed to have improved slightly in the past 12 months with 86 per cent expecting to draw on BPEX services, knowledge and expertise to help their businesses in the year ahead.
Over half of the respondents felt that they had made a positive impact to their business following contact with BPEX and its services.
BPEX head of communication Andrew Knowles said: "Those who took part in the survey did lay down a challenge for BPEX to provide even greater value for money and this is what lies at the heart of the new strategy and plans for the coming four years.
"The industry has been through some very difficult times but producers appear to be looking at the future with more optimism."
The survey report can be downloaded from the BPEX website by clicking here.
