09.04.2009: High-tech enterprises react to economic crisis in a constructive way in 2008

The European micro, nano and materials enterprises intend to react to the general economic crisis mostly with constructive measures. Almost 70 % of the enterprises intend to intensify their efforts to acquire new customers; more than 65 % want to develop new business fields. However, almost 35 % of the enterprises consider reducing labour costs. Almost half (47 %) of the small and medium-sized high-tech enterprises were affected by the economic crisis in 2008, most of the times by a decrease in orders (78.4 %) and a decrease in sales (63.6 %). For 2009, almost 70 % of the enterprises expect to be affected by the crisis.

Source: IVAM Research, Survey of the European Micro, Nano and Advanced Materials industry, February 2009