Source: Energy & Management Powernews, April 25, 2022
In retrospect, the German SME sector is indeed positive about the first quarter. But for the future he is uncertain. This is also reflected in its energy procurement.
58% of medium-sized companies secure their energy procurement in the medium term over one to three years. 12% prefer a short-term procurement of energy of less than one month. Only 2% of the Mittelständler refer energy on a long-term basis in contracts, which run longer than three years. These are the results of a business survey conducted by the Mittelstandsverbund (ZGV).
According to the association, 42,0000 companies from 18 industries participated in the survey, including kitchens and furniture, consumer electronics, shoes and textiles, the construction trade, and food and beverages.
67% of respondents said they obtain their energy from a supplier. 12% obtain their energy through a direct contract - such as trading on the stock exchange. Only around 2% of companies produce their energy themselves.
In view of the high import dependency on gas, it is alarming to note that, at more than 47%, the majority of SMEs primarily use natural gas as a fuel. More than a quarter primarily resort to electricity, followed by oil, which around 16% mainly use. Most of them (61%) are not considering changing their source of supply, despite the war in Ukraine. Only about 12% can currently imagine doing so, according to the ZGV.
Energy efficiency more important than ever
Ludwig Veltmann appeals, "The best energy is the one you don't use in the first place. So energy efficiency pays off right now." In the shoulder conclusion between politics and middle class must be set in the opinion of the ZGV managing director everything to not let the energy supply become an existence-threatening bottleneck. Veltmann: "Especially now it is important to put even more speed into energy efficiency measures. Only with a strong middle class the Leistungskraft of the economy and the crisis resistance can be received lastingly and stably."
With the Mittelständler there seems to be already insight in things energy efficiency: More than 54% of the companies intend to take appropriate measures due to the current situation. Around 32% are not planning to do so, according to the survey. With regard to the personnel required for this purpose, just under 44% see themselves as being well positioned to make processes more energy-efficient. Around 39% of companies report a need for support here.
As a further result of its survey, the ZGV states a good mood among SMEs - at least in retrospect of the first quarter. Thus, 40% assess their economic situation for the first three months of the year as satisfactory, which is an increase of 8 points compared to the final quarter of 2021. "Economically good" was how just over half fared, according to the economic survey. At the same time, the number of those who still described their economic situation as poor in the previous quarter fell - from 11% to less than 4%.
The reason for this may be their view of the sales figures: More than three out of four companies reported an increase in revenue for the first three months of the year, while only 1.8% reported declines in revenue. SMEs are more cautious when looking ahead to the current year: around 40% expect an increase in sales, 37% anticipate stability and 19% expect lower revenues.
You can find the results of the economic survey for the 1st quarter of 2021 here.
Author: Davina Spohn