Improved mood in the laboratory sector

The economic situation in Germany remains tense due to high energy and raw material prices as well as uncertain supply chains. Nevertheless, laboratories are cautiously optimistic about investments and the expansion of personnel capacities. The current order and sentiment situation is rated slightly better at 0.2 (scale -2 to +2), with expectations for the second half of 2024 rising to 0.4.

Around two thirds of respondents expect turnover to rise in the next six months. The outlook is particularly positive in the areas of consumer protection & food analysis (0.5), medical devices (0.4) and environmental analysis (0.3). In contrast, the areas of physical measurement technology & calibration (0.3) and industrial analysis (0.2) fared less well.

Overall, there was an increase in willingness to invest, particularly in analytical and plant technology (0.4) and IT and digitalisation (0.6). This signals a clear focus on future technologies.

The supply of skilled labour remains low (-0.5), while staff requirements are increasing slightly. The planned increase in personnel is 0.3 and reflects the growing confidence in the industry. However, the high accreditation costs in Germany pose a challenge.

The VUP economic barometer, which is compiled by the VUP every six months, provides a snapshot of the current order situation in the German laboratory sector and is intended to highlight trends and moods in the industry.

Article from "VUP" from 27/05/2024