ZVO: Industrial coaters rate economic situation as satisfactory

The companies from the Industrial Coaters division of the German Surface Technology Association (ZVO) predominantly offer cathodic corrosion protection. Although momentum slowed significantly in the second half of 2022, the surprisingly strong first half of 2022 meant that the sales targets for 2022 could be achieved. 2022 sales increases of 10 to 20 percent were achieved, but the volume produced declined by an average of 10 percent. Due to pervasive geopolitical issues, industrial coaters continue to expect their businesses to decline for and into 2023, although the first quarter remained quite positive.

The burden of increased chemical and raw material prices (see chart) and energy costs remains at a high level, resulting in new investments being postponed or cancelled altogether. Investments are being made to increase energy efficiency and in many cases to automate internal transport in order to free up personnel from unproductive activities for productive processes. These automation investments are intended to alleviate the continuing glaring shortage of skilled and unskilled workers. Public union demands of 10 percent and more are also said to be very counterproductive in companies' efforts to retain their own staff. For the first time, personnel losses to the public sector were noted, a previously unimaginable development. The subject of training was discussed intensively, with practical reports on the recruitment of trainees and the requirements of surface coaters and their future uses in day-to-day operations. For many industrial coaters, surface coaters are overqualified to work as plant operators. In many cases, a short apprenticeship below the level of a journeyman is completely sufficient for this type of work. Although often scolded, according to an entrepreneur from Central Hesse, the vocational guidance of the employment agencies should not be neglected as a multiplier for the recruitment of trainees. After an invitation to the company and a description of the occupational activities, the career counselors had a completely new image of the surface coater, whose job title should rather be "surface manager", according to one career counselor.