Of 334 member companies surveyed by the German Steel and Metal Processing Association (WSM), only just under 19% currently perceive the business situation as good, according to the ifo Institute. Almost 32% rate it as poor. Half forecast an even gloomier outlook for the first half of 2024.
Production figures in the fourth quarter of 2023
Production figures are a mood killer: In the fourth quarter of 2023, the decline in the WSM sectors intensified by 5.4% compared to the third. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, it was almost 5.9%. The slightly slower negative trend in December is a tiny positive sign. However, this is too little for spring fever: "The mood in companies is frosty," says Holger Ade, Head of Industrial and Energy Policy at the WSM.
Positioning on the Supply Chain Act
The association is calling for the traffic light to take a clear position on the new Supply Chain Act. "The traffic light must change. That is why we also support the current position on the EU Supply Chain Act. The current version would create excessively high hurdles and force companies to withdraw. It doesn't benefit anyone," affirms WSM Managing Director Christian Vietmeyer.