Coronavirus flash survey
Projects have to be postponed at additional cost - precautionary measures perceived as necessary
- One in three find media reports exaggerated
- Measures perceived as necessary by governments or airlines
- Almost one in five is afraid of production downtime
- 41 per cent have to postpone projects at additional cost
- Every third company loses money because it cannot supply customers
- Companies start hoarding
Düsseldorf, 7 February 2020 - How is a supply chain supposed to function if people are afraid of infection, logistics are cut off from one day to the next and decision-makers can no longer see each other? And are these fears justified or exaggerated? In order to shed light on the situation, the Kloepfel Group's procurement consultants surveyed 243 specialists and managers from German industry and retail as part of an online flash survey. The random sample survey was conducted across all sectors from 3 February 2020 to 6 February 2020.
Majority has connection to China
The participants were able to give several answers to this question. For example, 81 per cent said that they are supplied by important suppliers from China. Around one in three (35 per cent) work with important customers there. A third (33 per cent) produce directly in China. 4 per cent have no connection to the giant country.
One in three find media reports exaggerated
At 63 per cent, the majority of managers and professionals surveyed stated that they are happy to be informed by the media. Only just over one in three (37 per cent) think the current reporting is completely exaggerated.
Measures by governments or airlines necessary
58 per cent consider the measures taken by governments and airlines to protect against infection to be sensible. In contrast, 42 per cent think the measures are partly sensible and partly excessive. However, all respondents generally believe that precautions must continue to be taken. No one thought the measures to combat the coronavirus were unnecessary.
19 per cent are afraid of production downtime
The majority (42 per cent) have not yet been affected by supplier failures. Although 28 per cent have experienced supplier failures, they are able to activate alternative suppliers in the short to medium term. 19 per cent fear that supply bottlenecks will bring their production to a standstill. Meanwhile, 9 per cent are experiencing supply bottlenecks, but these will not lead to a production shutdown. Only just over 2 per cent of participants are not affected by supplier shortages in any way.
41 per cent have to postpone projects at additional cost
Here too, the vast majority of respondents (42 per cent) report that they can continue to carry out projects as planned. However, at just under 41 per cent, almost as many projects have to be postponed, which costs them a lot of money according to the survey. 9 per cent are unable to adhere to project plans and fear that this could even jeopardise their existence. A further 8 per cent have to postpone a planned project, but this is not a problem.
Purchasing advice for the economy records numerous urgent enquiries - companies hoarding
Marc Kloepfel, CEO of the purchasing specialists at the Kloepfel Group, states: „Initially, we received many requests for face masks from our customers with sites in China. However, as the situation is not improving, we are currently receiving many rush orders for other product groups. Companies are starting to stockpile and are filling up their warehouses as a precaution. This is not only affecting the manufacturing industry, but also the retail sector.“