The European Green Deal, sustainability as a guiding principle for sustainable development, the ongoing structural change - all of these topics were on the minds of the industry and, of course, the surface finishing sector at the start of last year. Then came the coronavirus pandemic: after the first lockdown in spring 2020, all markets around the world experienced a sharp slump. In order to get a picture of the current situation in the surface finishing industry, the German Association for the Surface Finishing of Aluminum (VOA) regularly conducts surveys among its member companies, most recently in December 2020. The conclusion: Despite the restrictions, the industry is currently doing well under the circumstances. This is an advantage, because the challenges mentioned at the beginning will not wait until the pandemic is over, but must be tackled actively and with foresight now.
Dr. Alexa A. Becker - VOA Managing DirectorGoodnews right at the start: 90% of the companies surveyed - ordinary members from the anodizing, coating and paint stripping sectors and supporting members combined - rated the impact of the coronavirus crisis on production as low to moderate at the end of 2020. It is also pleasing to note that 95% rate the development of their company for 2021 as positive to moderate. Although the participants in the survey indicated a decline in capacity utilization (14%), expected turnover (15%) and incoming orders (18%), the losses in December were apparently lower than expected in May, when the VOA conducted its first survey on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the surface finishing industry.
The fact that employees in the industry have not yet been overwhelmed by a wave of redundancies is a positive sign. As many as 85% of companies did not make any redundancies in 2020, while only 15% laid off employees as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Short-time work has so far proven to be a valuable tool for securing the company and employment of qualified personnel. 30% of member companies use this option for an average of one third of their employees. Their working hours have been reduced by an average of 26 percent.
The VOA is planning a new survey among its members in the spring in order to keep an eye on the situation in the industry. It is to be hoped that the positive trend will continue even in the face of the renewed lockdown, especially in view of the fact that there are important tasks ahead beyond the economic impact of the pandemic.
Setting the course for a successful transformation of the industry
"Despite the current challenging pandemic situation, we must not lose sight of other pressing issues," says Dr. Alexa A. Becker. The Managing Director of the VOA says: "On the one hand, the transformation process in the industry has accelerated rapidly worldwide. On the other hand, the European Commission's ambitious climate targets bring additional burdens - but also opportunities - for the industry, especially in view of the weak phase of the European economy triggered by the coronavirus." Especially with regard to meeting the requirements of the European Green Deal and the Paris Climate Agreement - keyword sustainability - changes are imminent. For example, companies are confronted with issues such as saving energy, using resources efficiently and reducing emissions. So far, however, there has been a lack of concrete measures on how the EU can support European industry in the transformation process. "Against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis, economic efficiency and social compatibility should go hand in hand more than ever, because only a strong and competitive industry can ensure an economic upturn and generate the necessary investment in climate and environmental protection. This is a real opportunity for the future, including for companies in the surface finishing industry," says Dr. Becker. For a successful transformation, it is important to create long-term, industrial policy framework conditions, for example, it makes sense to promote innovation and research, minimize energy prices, reduce corporate taxes and remove bureaucratic hurdles.
95 Prozent der VOA-Mitglieder schätzen die Entwicklung ihres Unternehmens für das Jahr 2021 positiv bis mittelmäßig ein.Eine weitere Grundvoraussetzung, um Transformationsprozesse erfolgreich zu meistern und um auf dem internationalen Markt zu bestehen, ist die zukunftsorientierte Weiterbildung der Mitarbeiter. The VOA supports its members in this regard: the association's training seminars were redesigned accordingly last year and held online for the first time. "We are hoping for a little more normality in 2021 and would of course like to hold one or two seminars as face-to-face events. But if that is not possible, we are prepared and offer effective online events tailored to the participants," says Dr. Becker. Quality assurance and the international quality marks QUALANOD, QUALICOAT and QUALISTRIP, of which the VOA is a general licensee, will also play an important role in ensuring that complete customer satisfaction can be achieved on the global market.
Aluminum is a material with great potential for sustainability and climate protection. Its corrosion resistance, wear resistance and other required properties are also achieved through surface finishing. The surface finishing industry is therefore of great importance and is set to grow even more in the future. Reason enough to continue investing in future viability, even in these challenging times. For 2021, the VOA is therefore looking positively into the future for itself and its members. "Despite the current difficult situation, we are starting the new year with an optimistic attitude and will continue to support our members to the best of our ability to emerge stronger from this crisis," says Dr. Becker.
