Industry study
How do industrial Companies look to the Future?
US companies are much more convinced of their business models than companies in the DACH region. Every second German industrial company is considering closures or relocations, according to the new industry study by Staufen.
Both the change of power in the USA and the current election campaign in Germany are dominated by the current economic situation. The 'Shaping the future' study therefore looks at how industrial companies on both sides of the Atlantic are approaching the all-important year 2025. One key finding: American industrial companies are much more confident about the future than their competitors in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For the study, management consultants Staufen surveyed a total of around 600 companies in the DACH region and the USA.
The transatlantic difference in sentiment is clearly visible in the study: while only one in four industrial companies in the DACH region (25%) currently describe their business model as "very future-proof", more than one in two industrial companies in the USA (55%) are absolutely convinced of their chosen path.
A similar picture emerges when it comes to innovative strength. Here, 43 percent of the US companies surveyed gave themselves top marks, but only 21 percent of industrial companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
"Optimism, commitment, innovative strength and customer orientation are success factors that are significantly influenced by the mentality of managers and the corporate culture. This positive inner attitude is particularly pronounced in the USA - and can be a decisive competitive advantage, especially in times of crisis," says Wilhelm Goschy, CEO of Staufen. "German industrial companies should therefore combine their traditional strengths with this 'American spirit'."
Process optimization, digitalization and qualification as key levers
Keyword strengths: Despite all the challenges, 82% of industrial companies in the DACH region continue to see more opportunities than risks at their respective home location. And 87% of the top managers surveyed describe their company as resilient, with one in four (25%) even speaking of "very resilient". In comparison: in the previous year's study, only 20 percent had attested to their own company having such a high level of resilience. However, this positive development at the top cannot hide the current problems, especially in Germany. Seven out of ten German industrial companies state that their domestic plants are becoming less competitive internationally. As a consequence, half (52%) are considering closing or relocating sites.
Staufen CEO Goschy: "In addition to the necessary government changes (energy costs, reduction of bureaucracy, etc.), every company can take immediate action itself. The three central measures: effective process optimization, consistent digitalization and fast and targeted employee training. This also applies to the US industry, whose figures are currently looking better, not least due to the strong domestic market."
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