Zander again warned of an embargo on Russian gas. In such a case, massive production losses would have to be feared. Almost every fourth company assumes that there will be a complete standstill of production in the event of a gas stop. “That would affect 300,000 employees in the companies that took part in the survey alone,” said Zander.
The critical infrastructure, for which more than half of the companies surveyed produce, is also potentially affected. It is about medical technology products as well as those for the energy and transport sectors or the transport infrastructure. “At some point, production losses will also have an impact there,” said the head of the association.
Investments are postponed
According to the survey, more than 55 percent of companies are postponing or postponing upcoming investments due to the high costs. “It’s difficult because if you don’t invest, production growth will be lower later on,” said Zander. “All companies are facing a structural change. This requires high investments. If the money can no longer be earned for this, it will be a long-term disadvantage for the whole country.”
Many companies are taking the initiative in the tense economic environment: more than half of them are trying to broaden their own supply chains. To a lesser extent (14 percent) they are also relocating production back to Germany or other EU countries. Every fifth company stated that it was shedding staff.
Tariff round is due in autumn
The timing of the release of the total metals survey is no coincidence. On Monday, IG Metall intends to publish its recommendation for the forthcoming collective bargaining round in the metal and electrical industry in autumn. Trade union boss Jörg Hofmann had already called for a sharp wage increase in advance because of the high inflation.
According to Gesamtmetall, more than 1,400 companies took part in the industry survey between May 16 and 31. They represent around 42 percent of all employees in the industry.
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