VOA presents annual report 2023/2024

The German Association for the Surface Finishing of Aluminum (VOA) has published its 2023/2024 digital annual report, which provides a detailed insight into the past financial year up to spring 2024. This annual report is an interesting read for anyone involved in surface coating, as it almost summarizes the development and perspectives of the companies organized in the association.

VOA Executive Board on the current situation

In the introduction, both VOA Chairman Friedhelm Scholten and Managing Director Dr. Alexa Becker agree that the excessive bureaucracy is becoming a considerable disadvantage for Germany as a business location. Together with weak global demand, both see this as the main burden on the domestic economy.

Both demand that it is time for politicians to take economic policy measures to stop the negative trend and ensure the future and security of Germany as a business location and its international competitiveness. Scholten emphasizes the central role of a secure and, above all, affordable energy supply for companies. After all, if companies reach the limits of profitability due to energy prices, it is sometimes no longer possible to invest in climate protection.

EquivalentThe situation in the surface sector

especially when the economic development since 2021 is taken into account, the developments are very clear. After all, in the VOA survey, the capacity utilization of the companies surveyed was 71% and decreased by a remarkable 19% on average compared to 2023. The extent of the upheaval in the economy is illustrated by the comparative figures for 2021, when capacity utilization was 90%. Incoming orders are also declining, with 73% registering an average decline of 17% in 2022 compared to the previous year. In 2022, 41% noted this and fantastic figures again for 2021, where it was only 6%. 93% of the companies surveyed are active in the construction/architecture sector and 53% each in mechanical engineering and automotive.

Energy prices a heavy burden

According to 60% of the companies surveyed, high energy prices are a considerable burden on their own activities and as many as 7% see them as a threat to their existence. 80% also see this as the main reason for restricted production receipts. However, the shortage of labor and skilled workers is in second place with 60% and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war are in third place with 40%. Nevertheless, 13% still have to contend with supply bottlenecks.

The overall mood in the surface finishing industry is therefore rather gloomy, which corresponds with the general economic situation and the forecasts of leading economic institutes. Nevertheless, 53% of members are still reasonably optimistic about the situation - more than half - but this is no comparison to 2021, when the figure was 94%.

Despite the tense economic situation, both Scholten and Dr. Becker are constructively optimistic about the future. Scholten advises focusing on the things you can influence yourself and approaching future challenges with determination. Dr. Becker also sees the creation of options as the central task of each individual, the companies and also the associations. Simply waiting for the government to hopefully take the right action is a negligent strategy. According to the VOA, political decisions must be shaped as intensively as possible. Here, associations and companies should and must work hand in hand to create a counterbalance. In particular, cooperation with the umbrella associations at German and European level - the Bavarian Industry Association (vbw) and the European Association for Surface Treatment on Aluminum (ESTAL) - is proving very fruitful, according to the VOA.

Intensive activities in training and further education

The annual report also contains many details about the association's work over the past year, including events and activities in the area of training and further education. Of course, the quality marks are also a topic.

In addition, the VOA's work focused in particular on updating the Best Available Techniques Reference Surface Treatment of Metals and Plastics (BREF STM). For good reason, the association is making an enormous contribution to the new edition together with its member companies, as active participation in the European "Seville Process" offers the opportunity to help determine the standard for efficient, environmentally friendly production.

The VOA annual report is available for download at www.voa.de.