20.11.2024 – 08:01
Swissmechanic Schweiz
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Press release
Weinfelden, November 20, 2024
Swissmechanic economic barometer from November 2024
The business climate in the MEM sector at its lowest level in three and a half years
Swissmechanic’s MEM SME business climate index fell in October 2024 to its lowest level since January 2021. The current context is marked by a further reduction in orders and margins, associated with underutilization of capacities. Around a third of companies surveyed have reduced their workforce. Faced with current challenges, MEM SMEs view the future with pessimism.
The business climate in the MEM sector deteriorated further in the fall, as evidenced by the latest quarterly survey by Swissmechanic. The Swissmechanic SME MEM business climate index falls in October 2024 to its lowest level since January 2021. The SME-MEM barometer has now been in the red for a year and a half. Only 1% of companies consider the current business climate to be very favorable, while 74% consider it somewhat or even very unfavorable.
Workforce reduction in a third of MEM SMEs
The drop in orders remains the main difficulty, accentuated by the effects of a still strong Swiss franc. In total, 60% of SMEs saw their turnover decline in the third quarter of 2024, and almost as many companies reported falling margins. Capacity utilization is currently below 80%. In addition, for almost a third of the SMEs surveyed, production is only guaranteed for a maximum period of four weeks. A third of companies have had to reduce their workforce compared to the previous year, while a quarter lack equity to invest.
2024 remains difficult, but 2025 seems to be under better auspices
SMEs remain pessimistic for the last quarter of 2024. External demand remains a major challenge. Around half of the companies surveyed expect a further decline in orders, turnover and margins. However, experts believe that there are currently signs of a possible economic recovery in 2025. Lower energy prices and lower interest rates could stimulate the MEM sector and thus promote a slight recovery.
Media contacts
For any questions, you can contact:
SWISSMECHANIC is the agile SME-MEM industry association. The more than 1,400 affiliated companies employ more than 70,000 employees, including 6,000 apprentices, and generate an annual turnover of around 15 billion Swiss francs. The association includes 13 regional sections, a national service center, the interregional professional organization Forum Blech and the associated organization Swiss Machinery Industry Group (GIM).
SWISSMECHANIC Suisse Felsenstrasse 6 8570 Weinfelden Tél. 071 626 28 00 [email protected]
