VOA survey on the state of the surface finishing industry

A survey on the economic situation of companies in the surface finishing industry conducted by the VOA revealed that the situation remains serious, although the mood has improved slightly. The reasons lie in structural problems.

The German Surface Finishing Association (VOA) publishes the latest results of its regular surveys on the economic situation of VOA member companies, thus providing a reliable database. The surveys serve to classify developments in the German economy, which also includes the surface finishing industry. Corresponding demands are derived from this in order to clarify the industry's concerns to politicians. Overall, the second half of 2025 shows that the situation is serious.

According to all leading economic institutes in Germany, the economic turnaround in the German economy is still a long time coming. There are many reasons for this, including the particularly high electricity and gas prices compared to other countries, the weak order situation in German industry, subdued demand from abroad with regard to exports, declining investments - including in the private sector -, significant structural problems in the business location and geopolitical uncertainties, including the situation on the commodities markets, which cannot be predicted, and much more. All of these factors also have an impact on the surface finishing industry as part of the German economy in an international environment.

The results of the association's companies that took part in the survey in detail: the members' capacity utilization remains unchanged at 77%, as it was in May 2025, the time of the last survey. This also corresponds to the level of the first half of 2023. The VOA recorded the lowest value of 68% in November 2024. In terms of turnover development, 41% of companies remain stable, 32% record declines and 26% growth. Declines averaged -9%, while increases averaged +21%. In terms of orders received, 41% report a status quo, 35% report declines (average approx. -11%) and 24% of companies report an increase in orders - on average by +15%.

59% of participating member companies cite energy price trends as the reason for reduced production (in May 2025: 58%). Sickness absence increased to 44% (in May 2025: 36%), while the shortage of labor and skilled workers fell slightly to 32% (in May 2025: 42%). Although the order has changed slightly, the three main causes remain constant: high energy prices and the shortage of skilled workers have a central influence on production. VOA member companies are particularly critical of the energy price burdens. Electricity and gas prices are described as extremely relevant by 97% and 88% of companies respectively (multiple answers possible). 56% of member companies rate the current burden as considerable (-17% since May 2025), 6% as a threat to their existence, while 38% rate the situation as moderate (-17% since May 2025).

Short-time working is making a comeback in 2025. In industry, supply bottlenecks, high energy prices and weak export markets are leading to lower capacity utilization. The construction and trade sector, which is closely linked to the surface finishing industry due to its connections in the architectural sector, is facing project stoppages as a result of higher interest rates and increased material costs. This trend is also confirmed among the member companies that took part in the current VOA survey, as short-time working has increased by 15% since May 2025. Currently, 21% of participating member companies are making use of this instrument. In May 2025 it was only 6%, in November 2024 12%. Due to the persistently poor situation, there were unfortunately also redundancies - for the third time in a row: 21% of companies laid off employees (in May 2025: 18%, in November 2024: 12%).

There are mixed developments in the area of training. 47% of the companies surveyed are providing training this year, an increase of 8% compared to May 2025. At the same time, the willingness to provide training for the coming training year has fallen to 38% (in May 2025: 48%), but remains high compared to 2021 (29%). Commercial and technical professions in the field of surface finishing are in the foreground. This development is presumably related to the ongoing challenging economic situation. Other factors - such as demographic developments and the resulting shortage of trainees, the balancing act between the requirements of companies and the wishes of suitable trainees or the current training system - could also play a role here. Nevertheless, companies in the surface finishing industry recognize the need to train young talent and are working to recruit trainees for various professions.

The German economy continues to face difficult challenges for 2026. Overall, 32% of participating VOA members in the surface finishing industry rate the development of their company as positive or moderate in the second half of 2025, 29% as negative and 3% each as very negative or very positive. Compared to the results from the first half of 2025 - 58% mediocre, 15% negative, 3% very negative, 15% positive, 9% very positive - the mood in the surface finishing industry is developing slightly for the better in the majority of cases.

In order to improve the location conditions, Germany needs structural changes that will increase growth potential in the long term, including affordable energy costs as well as an immense reduction in bureaucracy and the elimination of the reform backlog in social policy. For over 60 years, the VOA and its members have been proactively advocating for the interests of the industry and communicating the industry's point of view both in Berlin and at European level. The association works closely with umbrella organizations such as the vbw - Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft e. V., the Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände e. V. (BDA), the Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e. V. (BDI) and the European Association for Surface Treatment on Aluminium (ESTAL) to represent the interests of the surface treatment industry at all levels in the interests of its members. The VOA is already looking forward to its 2026 General Assembly in Augsburg, which will focus on interesting, current topics that are of practical relevance to business leaders in the surface finishing industry. (OM-12/26)