The trade association for Building Automation naturally also sympathizes with its members during this corona crisis. We provide support and are available for general questions regarding the impact of the coronavirus, industry-related questions, legal assistance, the support provided by the Dutch government and the additional services of membership with FHI.
FHI Corona file
It FHI corona file provides information, answers to frequently asked questions and (industry-related) corona news. Several members of the trade organization have now made use of the support services associated with FHI membership.
Industry Building Automation
In recent weeks, the trade association for Building Automation has spoken to almost all members. The most important thing at this time is personal health and the health of colleagues, family and friends. In addition to the health of loved ones, the market and expectations for the future were discussed. Companies focused on service and maintenance in particular are experiencing a lot of disruption from the corona crisis, while new opportunities and possibilities are also arising.
Several GA members work in vital sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, where continuity and smart handling of installations are very important. Consider, for example, health within buildings: air treatment systems in healthcare institutions are adapted to a 24-hour setting instead of night reductions. Where necessary, recirculation is manually switched off with the aim of ventilating the maximum possible outside air in order to make the period that residents are required to stay indoors as pleasant as possible.
Members of the Building Automation industry are generally positive about the resilience of the economy and our industry in particular, but we should not close our eyes to a bizarre reality.
Expectations and sentiments
The installation sector will be 'severely affected by the corona crisis' in the near future and employment will be 'under heavy pressure'. Techniek Nederland measures this sentiment in its business survey, which is conducted every quarter. Techniek Nederland measured the mood and sentiments among large and medium-sized installation companies and technical service providers.
Nearly 40% of large and medium-sized installation companies indicate that they expect to have to lay off technicians. Moreover, more than 80% of these companies expect to hire fewer technical professionals in the second quarter. Three quarters of companies expect a significant drop in turnover in the months April to June. About half of the installation companies and technical service providers asked expect that the order portfolios will be at least 2.5% smaller than a year earlier.
The results of the Cobouw Construction Monitor show a similar picture. However, there is a difference between W and E installation companies. While the W installation companies were still able to maintain their turnover at a reasonable level, the E installation companies had a little more difficulty with this. While turnover for 69% of the W installation companies remained the same or even increased, this applied to only 52% for the E installation companies. No fewer than 34% of the E-installation companies saw turnover decline, compared to 28% in the W-installation technology.
Expectations for April are more negative: two out of three construction companies think that turnover in April will be much lower than in the same month a year earlier. However, there is optimism for the longer term that we will soon emerge from the crisis stronger together.
FHI Economic Barometer
FHI also measures the mood and sentiments among its affiliated members every quarter. The FHI Barometer provides information about the expectations of member companies in the affiliated industries. The results of the FHI Barometer about the first quarter of 2020 can be found online. The questionnaire for the second quarter of 2020 can be found in your member account under FHI Digital Service. Of course you can participate in the Economic Barometer to get even better figures.
The purpose of the FHI Economic Barometer is to create periodic information that serves as a benchmark tool. The barometer is based on input from more than eight hundred member companies. With the results, FHI can paint a good picture of the current market, something we believe will lead to more and better deals. We make a division between the different sectors.
Especially in these uncertain times, it is important for organizations to work together, support each other and seek connections. The trade organization is committed to connecting organizations and promoting collaboration. In these difficult times, we must jointly tackle the challenges on a business and personal level. The involvement of the board, office and members is the strength of the Dutch Association for Building Automation.
Nederlands