IVAM Survey 2011

Micro- and Nanotechnology companies in Europe to raise staff numbers again.

The latest economic data collection of the IVAM Microtechnology Network in the medium-sized microtechnology, nanotechnology and materials industry in Europe shows how well the industry has recovered from the economic and financial crisis. The companies want to hire more employees again, their sales have risen strongly, and they are aiming for new overseas markets and looking out on the new business year with confidence. However, skills shortage and a persistent difficulty to raise capital may eventually restrict the industry’s growth.

Good prospects for the new fiscal year: nearly two-thirds of the European micro- and nanotechnology companies expect that business will continue to improve during 2011.  Especially orders, production and sales figures are supposed to rise explicitly. But the companies also want to surpass last year’s export and investment figures.