On average across the industry, second-quarter order intake fell by 0.4% in nominal terms compared to the same quarter of 2024. This represents a smaller decrease than in the same period of the previous year (-13.1%). 19% of the surveyed timber construction companies reported increases of an average of 19.4%, while 46% of companies had a constant order intake compared to last year. 35% of respondents recorded an average decrease of 19.1%.
Sales prices in the timber construction industry increased by an average of 2% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. Order intake thus decreased by 2.4% in terms of volume (in real terms).
In the second quarter, 27% of timber construction companies described their business situation as good (Q1 2025: 17%), 44% as normal for the season (Q1: 55%), and 29% rated it as bad (Q1: 28%). When comparing respondents with positive assessments of their business situation to those with negative ones, you can see that companies with a negative assessment outweigh the other group by 2 percentage points. Nevertheless, sentiment has improved compared to the previous quarter.
On average across the timber construction sector, the order backlog ensures full capacity utilization for 14.3 weeks. Compared to the second quarter of 2024, the average order backlog increased by 5.1%. In the second quarter, private/commercial clients accounted for 85% of the total order backlog, while 11% were public construction projects handled by general contractors or property developers (cooperatives), and 4% involved contracts awarded directly by federal, state, and local governments.
21% of the surveyed companies reported capacity utilization of one to four weeks in the second quarter. For 20% of respondents, the order backlog ensured full capacity utilization for five to nine weeks. 34% had capacity utilization of ten to 19 weeks, and 25% of the timber construction companies, reported capacity utilization of 20 or more weeks. No company reported a lack of utilization. 37% of companies could immediately process additional orders (Q2 2024: 35%).
Looking ahead to the third quarter, 7% of timber construction companies expect increases in incoming orders compared to the third quarter of 2024 (previous year: 9%), while 56% do not anticipate any change (46%), and 37% expect decreases (previous year: 45%). On balance, companies with a negative outlook outnumber those with a positive one by 30 percentage points. The negative balance is higher than the previous year’s level (-36 percentage points). Pessimism has also increased compared to the first quarter (balance: -23 percentage points).
