Publications

Many producers are under pressure to either expand/grow or refuse orders, while difficulties in hiring skilled staff impacts further business expansion.

As in previous years, competition remains strong in the domestic market, mainly among small and medium-sized machinery companies depending on construction.

A modest insolvency increase is expected in 2019, with businesses related to oil and gas exploration, construction and agricultural markets mainly exposed.

The demand situation for Belgian machinery businesses is generally positive, but remains affected by difficulties in some major buyer industries.

There is pressure on the profits of turbine manufacturers and their suppliers along the value chain, and further consolidation seems to be likely.

Due to its high export ratio the industry is highly susceptible to rising geopolitical risks, exchange rate volatility, and rising protectionism.

Business performance and profit margins of machinery traders could be negatively affected by the ongoing trade dispute between China and the United States.

Due to its high export ratio the industry is highly susceptible to external risks like a deterioration in the Eurozone and rising protectionism.

Some caution is still advised on businesses dependent on the oil/gas and the mining industry, due to potential impacts of energy price volatility.

The bright outlook presented in May has proven true but clouds are quickly gathering on the horizon. In an increasingly uncertain environment, there is no room for policy mistakes.

The election of Brazil's new president ends a long period of political uncertainty, but the window for much-needed reform is very narrow.

After a minor increase from 2016 to 2017, the proportion of past due B2B receivables in Western Europe increased again this year and stands at 41.8%.

All survey respondents in Austria (100%) reported domestic payment delays. This is the highest percentage in the region, significantly higher than in 2017.

The average proportion of overdue B2B invoices reported by respondents in Belgium increased for the third consecutive year in a row and stands at 45.6%.

The survey’s biggest negative change in the proportion of uncollectable receivables was recorded in Denmark; up from 1.3% in 2017 to 1.8% in 2018.

After an increase from 43.5% in 2017 to 47.5% this year, France has the second highest percentage of overdue B2B invoices in the Western European region.

Of the Western European countries surveyed, Germany had the second highest percentage of respondents (24.7%) who reported revenue loss due to overdues.

At 48.7%, Great Britain had the highest proportion of past due B2B invoices in Western Europe, significantly higher than the regional average of 41.8%.

Despite already posting the highest proportion of uncollectable receivables in the region, Greece’s average rose to 2.8% in 2018 from 2.5% in 2017.

For 56.3% of Irish respondents reported negative consequences of overdues over the past 12 months. For 15.1% of suppliers these led to revenue loss.

Despite a significant decrease in 2018, at 74 days, the average DSO reported by survey respondents in Italy remains the highest in Western Europe.

Most respondents in Spain have felt the impact of overdue invoices; 22.4% had to postpone payments to their own suppliers and 20.3% reported revenue loss.

The proportion of past due B2B invoices in Sweden has sharply increased from 26.7% in 2017 to 34.0%. Foreign B2B customers had a much higher default rate.

92.5% of Swiss respondents said that they experienced late payment in 2018. This is one of the highest percentages next to that of Austria and Belgium.

In 2018, the average DSO recorded in the Netherlands is 46 days, an increase of five days compared to 2017. This is the biggest increase in Western Europe.

Economic growth is expected to remain robust in 2018 and 2019, but the economy is highly vulnerable to adverse developments in the automotive sector.

Bulgaria´s economic growth is forecast to remain robust in 2018 and 2019, as household spending is spurred by wage growth and an improving labour market.

After growing 4.5% in 2017 Czech GDP growth is expected to increase at a slower pace in 2018 and 2019, as Eurozone and domestic demand are cooling down.

After increasing 4% in 2018 GDP growth is expected to decelerate to below 3% due to lower household consumption and less investment and export growth.

In Central Europe, Poland's economy looks most vulnerable to the financial and economic fallout of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU.

Romania´s GDP is expected to grow at a lower pace in 2018 and 2019 as export growth has slowed and domestic demand is cooling due to higher interest rates.

Despite the current rebound the long-term prospect for higher growth rates is subdued due to structural weaknesses and the negative impact of sanctions.

Despite monetary tightening the economy remains susceptible to further currency volatility, and the risk of a severe economic downturn has increased.

Nonostante una lieve diminuzione delle fatture B2B scadute, il 45,0% delle imprese dell'Europa orientale ha segnalato di dover gestire l'impatto negativo dei ritardi nei pagamenti.

Of the Eastern European countries surveyed, Bulgaria had the highest DSO and 19.8% of respondents expect another slight increase over the coming 12 months.

The percentage of Czech respondents reporting late payment remained largely stable. However, at 89.8% this is one of the highest percentages in the region.

In 2018, respondents in Hungary reported a significant increase in DSO and that the proportion of uncollectable B2B receivables also went up slightly.

Due to overdue B2B invoices, 20.3% of respondents in Romania had to postpone payments to their own suppliers while 14.8% had to correct cash flow.

The proportion of past due B2B invoices is the second highest in the region and almost 60% of Polish respondents said that this affected their businesses.

Despite improvements in 2018, respondents in Slovakia reported an increase in DSO and 27.5% of businesses seem to have been impacted by late payments.

2018 brought many changes in Turkey – more frequent payment delays, increases in the proportion of overdue B2B invoices and DSO, a longer payment duration.

It seems that the market is rather resilient in the light of the ongoing Sino-US trade dispute, but overcapacity in the electric car segment is increasing.

Any imposition of tariffs on car parts and vehicle imports would severely impact the US automotive industry, most probably leading to more insolvencies.

Both payment delays and insolvencies are expected to increase in the coming months as decreasing investments and lower production will impact suppliers.

Despite the ongoing upturn, automotive suppliers at the lower end of the value chain face elevated debt levels, strong competition and price pressure.

Margins continue to decrease due to increased material and labour costs, rising competition, pressure on sales prices and the need to invest heavily.

The sector shows good growth rates, but manufacturers active in the US are affected by the import tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed since June 2017.

Smaller automotive businesses experienced a decrease in equity, solvency and liquidity ratios - a trend that is expected continue in the coming months.

The impact of potential US tariffs on car and car-part producers would be limited, as the US is not a key market for Spanish OEMs due to their model range.

While sales in the Mexican automotive market remained subdued in the first half of 2018 car exports have increased 10%, helped by new production plants.