Economic (corona) barometer: members cautiously more positive, but supply problems are lurking

FHI members have become more positive on average in the first quarter of 2021 about how their company is coping with the corona crisis. Only a majority of members in the Building Automation sector expect to get into trouble. This is evident from the most recent economic barometerIn addition, members from several sectors indicate that supply flows are disrupted and may cause problems.

Industry IA

Approximately 25 percent of the members of the Industrial Automation industry indicate that they are in trouble due to the corona crisis in Q1 2021, a significant decrease compared to the previous measurement (Q4 2020) when this percentage was 43 percent. Also, more than 40 percent say that they do not expect (further) problems.

The most acute problem for IA members is a lack of supply of products and components: more than half indicate that they are struggling with this. The decrease in order portfolios and a declining turnover have become less problematic in this period.

It is also striking that IA members have continued to reduce their flexible workforce: 30 percent indicated that they had done so in the first quarter. However, almost 80 percent do not expect to take any further measures in the near future. The members surveyed are also considerably more positive about their order portfolios and turnover figures for the past period and the coming period.

Industry IP

Within the Industrial Electronics sector, there has been a decrease compared to the February measurement little changed to the extent that entrepreneurs expect problems due to the corona crisis. However, companies in this sector are also struggling with increased delivery problems: almost 70 percent are struggling with this. The decrease in the number of orders has become less of an issue, with just over 20 percent still suffering from it. A similar development can be seen in the decrease in turnover.

Approximately 33 percent of IE members indicate that they are still using the NOW wage cost scheme, a small decrease compared to the last measurement in Q4 2020. Furthermore, three quarters think that no further measures will be needed in the coming period to get through the corona crisis. The same optimism can be seen from the results for order positions and turnover.

Industry LT

A remarkably high percentage of the members surveyed within the Laboratory Technology sector indicates that they no longer expect any problems due to the corona crisis: 57 percent are optimistic, compared to 26 percent in February of this year. But once again, LT companies are suffering from difficult supplies: approximately 65 percent are affected by this.

More than half of the members surveyed are still using the NOW scheme. More than 65 percent think that further measures to get through the crisis are not necessary. Once again, there is optimism among LT members regarding growing turnover and an increasing number of orders.

Industry MT

Like the other branches, members of Medical Technology in a happier mood. More than 60 percent indicate that they will not experience any problems due to the pandemic, while this figure was still around 40 percent in Q4 2020. It is striking that MT members are less affected by difficult deliveries than the other sectors. Furthermore, some members indicate that some projects or investments in hospitals, for new construction or renovation, are being stopped.

The number of MT entrepreneurs still using the NOW scheme has almost halved to around 25 percent. Furthermore, more companies have taken advantage of attracting additional credits. Approximately three-quarters of respondents do not expect to have to take additional measures in the near future. The figures on turnover and orders do not show any major changes compared to Q4.

Industry GA

In the Building Automation sector, more than 60 percent of the respondents that they have not yet encountered problems due to the corona crisis, but expect them to. Among other things, shifted schedules and delayed projects are cited as causes. This translates into an increased fear of a emptier order portfolio and supply problems.

Although almost a third has reduced its flexible shell, almost 75 percent say that they do not need to take any further measures to get through the crisis. GA entrepreneurs are less positive about order positions than the other sectors. For example, just over 10 percent expect turnover to grow.