Sensors and Measurement: Sales stabilise, order situation picks up

AMA Association reports industry development for the second quarter of 2021

Sensors and measurement technology recorded significant sales growth in the first quarter, with sales stabilising at plus minus zero percent in the second quarter. Overall, the industry’s incoming orders developed positively with an increase of eight percent. The proportion of AMA member companies that have registered for short-time work is falling significantly, with only one in five companies now employing people on short-time work.

The AMA Association for sensors and measurement e.V. (AMA) surveyed its approximately 450 members on economic development in the second quarter. According to its data, the industry generated sales of plus minus zero percent in the second quarter, compared with the previous quarter.

Catching up on sales, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) performed significantly better in the second quarter than large companies in the sector. Accordingly, the expectations of small to mid-sized AMA members are slightly more optimistic than those of larger members. Overall, the industry expects positive growth of four percent in the third quarter.

Short-time work is now only found among SMEs in the industry and mainly affects suppliers to the target markets: mechanical engineering, sensor and measurement technology, and the automotive and electrical sectors. Suppliers to the medical technology and energy industries are little or not at all affected. This is underpinned by above-average incoming order for suppliers to the medical technology sector. The aerospace sales market is also developing well. Below-average results are reported by suppliers to the sensor and measurement technology sectors.

The AMA Association also surveyed its members on the development of online sales during the COVID crisis. One in six companies is increasing its own online trade, especially suppliers to the energy and automotive sectors. The majority of companies that are establishing and expanding online trade report promising results.

“Encouragingly, our industry is bouncing back, with sales and new orders in particular performing as our industry expected the long-term trend to be before the Corona pandemic,” said Thomas Simmons, AMA executive director. “Order books are well filled, short-time work has decreased significantly, sales are stabilizing and the industry is confident about the current quarter.”