The companies from the ZVO Industrial Coaters division mainly offer cathodic corrosion protection. At their first meeting this year, the members of the division expressed their satisfaction with the economic situation in the 1st quarter of 2023 and the course of the 2022 financial year. According to the ZVO, while momentum slowed significantly in the second half of 2022, the surprisingly strong first half of 2022 meant that the 2022 sales projections were achieved. Sales increases were 10 to 20 percent, but the volume produced declined by an average of 10 percent. Due to geopolitical issues, coaters continue to expect their business to decline for and into 2023, although the first quarter remained quite positive.
The burden of increased costs remains at a high level, resulting in new investments being postponed or cancelled altogether. Investments are aimed at increasing energy efficiency and, in many cases, automating internal transport. The shortage of skilled and unskilled labor is to be mitigated with these automation investments. At the meeting, the topic of training, practical reports on the recruitment of trainees and the requirement of surface coaters or their future uses in everyday operations were discussed intensively.