Faulty supplies cause headaches for FHI members

The faltering deliveries of products - including parts - also caused major concerns in the third quarter of this year five branches of FHI. However, most companies did not take any additional measures in Q3 and a majority were satisfied with their order positions, despite the ongoing corona problems. This is evident from the latest results of the economic barometer.

Within the Industrial Electronics sector 40 percent of respondents experienced problems due to the pandemic and the economic consequences, a slightly lower figure than in the second quarter of 2021. It is striking that the order portfolios are overfull, while the lack of supply of products and components is caused by more than 90 percent. felt in Q3, a record number. The industry also complains about the difficulty of finding qualified personnel. Turnover expectations once again show that the number of orders has increased further and that the third quarter was a good one for most companies.

A small majority of companies within the Industrial Automation sector did not take any new measures in Q3, but 40 percent are still experiencing problems due to the corona crisis. Once again, all respondents indicate that they experience supply problems, but that many orders are also coming in in this sector. Here too, developments in the raw materials and components market are being closely monitored for business results.

At the Laboratory Technology sector Since the beginning of 2020, a majority of 60 percent have no longer had problems due to corona. Fears of lower sales or a decrease in orders also fell sharply in Q3. However, LT members also suffer greatly from disrupted supplies: approximately 85 percent indicated this. Half of those surveyed indicate that sales improved in Q3.

Members of the Building Automation sector are slightly more pessimistic in Q3: almost 40 percent have run into problems due to the corona crisis. Some companies complain about the longer delivery times on the market, but concerns about component shortages are slightly lower than in Q2. More than 60 percent also indicated that their overall order position has improved.

The Medical Technology sector shows a little changed picture. Just under half of the companies are suffering from the corona crisis, and growth compared to Q2. And once again the delayed delivery of components and products plays a major role: almost 90 percent are affected by this. A small majority also sees a decrease in turnover and points to high prices for raw materials. Yet most companies see good turnover figures and order numbers.

Together with Business Europe, VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland are making an overview of bottlenecks in European supply chains. For this purpose, we make an inventory of strategic products and/or raw materials where shortages are imminent or where they already exist. We would like to hear about your company's concerns about this: send an email to info@fhi.nl.