This is the result of a quick survey conducted by the Bochum-based SCM software specialist Setlog among its customers from the consumer goods industry on February 20. 85% of the companies surveyed stated that reducing bureaucracy was the most important measure that the policy should promote.

For the survey, the companies had to prioritize the demands on the new government that more than 100 associations had published in an open letter on the Economic Warning Day in January. They were allowed to select up to three of the ten demands. Energy prices came in second place in the ranking. More than half of those surveyed (61%) believe that politicians must ensure internationally competitive energy prices. In third place is the demand for an infrastructure and service offensive. 42% of those surveyed believe that road, rail, waterways, air traffic and digital administration should be at the top of the European level. For the company representatives surveyed, reducing corporate taxes is almost as important as infrastructure. 39% have the opinion that the burden on companies and employees must be reduced to at least the level of the EU average.

In the event of stagnation: further staff cuts and price increases

If the economic situation in Germany does not improve, the companies surveyed are already planning to take action this year. More than half of them (55%) intend to cut staff and increase product prices (52%). About one in three companies (39%) are preparing to open up new procurement markets. However, only a few of those surveyed (15%) are thinking of relocating production and sites in the short term this year. The situation is different when it comes to the medium-term consequences in three to five years’ time: Should the economy continue to stagnate, 27% would consider relocating from today’s perspective. Even more companies (61%) would lay off staff and open up new procurement markets (45%).

“The companies surveyed from our customer pool are at a very high level when it comes to process optimization and cost reduction. And they use state-of-the-art software tools. This is precisely why politicians must take the opinions of the consumer goods industry and the impending consequences seriously. Germany needs an economic turnaround now. And this country with its social market economy must once again become an attractive location for investors and foreign skilled workers,” emphasizes Ralf Duester, Setlog`s Managing Director.

The participants in the survey

A panel of 33 managing directors, board members and executives from purchasing and supply chain management at leading companies in the consumer goods industry took part in Setlog’s survey. The majority of the companies surveyed (52%) have a turnover of between 50 and 500 million euros per year. About a third (36%) have between 250 and 1,000 employees. 27% have more than 1,000 employees. The flash survey paints a current picture of the mood in the sector and does not claim to be representative.