IVAM Survey 2019

Microtechnology industry confident: positive economic development and market trends to continue

In the microtechnology industry, the positive economic development of recent years continues: the majority of European companies have raised turnover and staff in 2018 and expect a further increase throughout the next few years. Forecasts of a weakening global economy, international trade conflicts and the inner-European Brexit struggle do not find expression in the mood of the high-tech industry.

Turnover and staff numbers keep rising

The results of the survey the IVAM Microtechnology Network carried out in February and March do not predict a major departure from the positive economic development of recent years. More than 80 percent of European microtechnology companies expect sales to increase over the next three years, two-thirds of companies plan to hire new employees over the same period, and more than 60 percent of companies plan to increase their export share in the medium term. Expectations are on a similar level as in previous years, merely projections of staff development are slightly less euphoric than they were around the same time in the past two years.


China’s importance as trading partner is growing

A steadily growing share of European microtechnology companies is aiming for China as a trading partner. Within the next three years, China is supposed to become the most important business region outside the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) for a fifth of companies. Currently, China is the major trading partner for one-eighth (12.5 percent) of companies, just behind the United States, which is the most important foreign trade region outside Europe for just above 13 percent. The microtechnology industry in Europe has strong international connections: 96 percent of companies are acting on an international level.


Medical technology and healthcare benefit most

The market that benefits most from developments, products and systems in the microtechnology industry today – the medical technology and healthcare industry – will keep its leading position in the foreseeable future. More than half of European microtechnology companies presently serve this market. For a fifth of companies, it is currently the most important target market; another three percent want to develop medicine and health into their most important target market within the next few years.