In the economic survey “Trades and crafts” carried out by the Austrian Institute for SME Research, 19% of the carpentry businesses reported an average increase of 20% in their order intake. In 34% of the businesses, order intake was at the same level recorded last year. 47% of the survey participants reported decreases of an average of 21%. Sales prices in the carpentry sector increased on average by 3% year on year in the first six months of 2024. Thus, order intake was down by 8.9% in real terms.
The business situation in the third quarter was described as good by 18% of the carpentry companies (2023: 21%), as normal for the season by 48% (2023: 47%) and as bad by 34% of respondents (2023: 32%). Thus, the businesses with a negative assessment of their business situation outnumber those with a positive one by 16 percentage points, showing a deterioration in sentiment compared to the second quarter.
On average across the industry, the order backlog ensures work at full capacity for 11.1 weeks. Compared to the third quarter of 2023, the average order backlog decreased by 4.2%. 31% of survey participants stated that they could process additional orders immediately. Last year, this statement was given by 25% of carpentry businesses. For 56% of carpenters, it would be possible to take on additional orders in the next three months. In the third quarter of last year, this was the case for 59% of respondents. 49% of respondents can imagine processing additional orders in six months. For 3% of carpenters, this would be possible in the next nine months. For comparison: In the second quarter, 29% of carpentry companies stated that they could take on additional orders immediately, 34% could have done so in three months, 37% in six months and 0% in nine months.
As for the fourth quarter, 9% of the surveyed carpentry businesses anticipate a year-on-year increase in order intake (Q4 2023: 6%), while 59% expect no changes (Q4 2023: 57%) and 32% believe that their order intake will decrease (Q4 2023: 37%). Carpentry companies with a pessimistic outlook outnumber those with an optimistic one by 23 percentage points. The balance has become slightly less negative compared to last year (-31 percentage points). However, compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2024 balance: -7 percentage points), there is more pessimism.
