Fedecom Presents Barometer for the First Half of 2025

The Fedecom Barometer for the first half of 2025 paints a mixed picture. Growth in the sector is leveling off, and the differences between submarkets are widening.

Staff and Job Openings
The number of permanent employees remains largely unchanged, although one-third of companies report an increase. Flexible employment continues to decline and remains limited in scope.

Job vacancies are a persistent problem: three-quarters of companies have open positions. However, companies expect it will become easier to fill these vacancies.

Domestic Market
The order book is stabilizing, with slight growth at a quarter of the companies. Sales of new machinery show a mixed picture, while used machinery and parts are performing better.

Workshop utilization remains largely stable, and the outlook for the second half of the year is cautiously positive.

Exports
Two-thirds of companies export, but the foreign order book is under pressure. Most business owners do not expect any change; only a minority anticipate growth.

Financial
Inventories are declining somewhat, and price increases are leveling off. For the second half of 2025, business owners expect renewed price pressure but greater stability in earnings and revenue. Investments remain largely stable, with a focus on personnel and machinery, although one-third indicate they will invest less.

Conclusion
The sector is holding its own in the first half of 2025. Growth is coming primarily from parts and workshop activities, while new machinery and exports remain more vulnerable.

Labor shortages and limited pricing flexibility are putting pressure on results.

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