(29.06.2022) The economic climate for SMEs in the machine industry remains positive. In the second quarter of 2022, the SME-MEM index of Swissmechanic and the economic research institute BAK stood at 25, although this was a more modest figure than in the first quarter (34).
Based on a survey of 217 companies in the sector, the index has fallen to its lowest level since it recovered to positive values in Q3 2021, when it reached 29. In April 2022, 70% of SMEs considered the business climate to be favorable, a figure down 9 points from the 79% recorded in January 2022.
The biggest challenges facing companies in the sector are supply issues (71%) and labor shortages (48%). More than a quarter also cited exchange rates (27%).
In Q1 2022, these three factors were already taking the stage as the most important barriers to a healthy business, but to a lesser extent. These challenges were cited as 62%, 43%, and 23% respectively by the companies surveyed. According to the report published by SwissMechanic and the BAK Institute, the reasons for these complications are the war in Ukraine and China's so-called "zero Covid" strategy.
The robustness of orders, sales, and employment shows that post-pandemic recovery continues to fuel the dynamism of the machine industry despite the economic headwinds. Nevertheless, orders and sales are expected to slow down in the second half of 2022, while employment will remain strong: only 5% of companies plan on reducing their workforce (compared to 6% in the first half of the year), while 31% plan on recruiting (unchanged since the first quarter).
Last modification 29.06.2022
