Uncertainty in commerce is a usual norm in the field of trade and bottlenecks are one of the recurring problems. However, Spanish companies show optimism, Resilience and an adaptation ability to the challenges that affect their supply chains. This is revealed by the New study prepared by Reichelt Elektronikone of the most relevant online electronics and information technology in Europe, which deepens the industry’s response to challenges such as tariff restrictions, cost escalation and international conflicts.
In the last year, the 94% of Spanish companies recognizes having suffered the impact of bottlenecks on the supply chain, while a 22% admit even having experienced serious interruptions. However, The average stoppage in production in Spain is currently in 17 dayswell below other great powers of the European Union such as Netherlands (28 days), Germany (27 days), Italy (24 days) or France (21 days). Which places us in a better position to compete in the international market.
But the strikes are not the only thing that Spanish companies should worry, the difficulty in getting components also involves an important obstacle. He 32% say they had difficulty provisioning certain componentsespecially spare parts for devices (39%), semiconductors (33%) and tools and machinery parts that require change (31%).
Despite these obstacles, Spanish companies take out their most optimistic side and 2 in 3 trust that the situation improves in the next 12 months. A level of hope that also exceeds that of the other economies of its environment: Italy (62 %), Germany (48 %), Netherlands (48 %) and France (40 %).
Upward prices, a headache
In addition to bottlenecks, high prices are another of the big headaches for Spanish companies. In fact, them It is more challenging to deal with the prices of critical components (84%) that to the bottlenecks in the supply chain for its manufacture (66%). To this is added the increase in energy cost, that 70% of companies affirm that they have an impactas well as the Competitive pressure of cheaper suppliers (62%). Consequently, they are under significant financial stress, which according to 76% of companies are also aggravated by the difficult global economic context and, according to 65%, also by the National.
To respond to this stress, companies flaunt their resilience and make great efforts to shield their supply chains in front of the crisis: 46% have already chosen to diversify it and more than half (51 %) plans to do it shortly. The Bet on local suppliers (50%) and by Strengthen cybersecurity (48%), measures that seek to guarantee operational continuity and maintain profitability in an adverse environment.
Automation, the response against bottlenecks
Automation also adds to this range of responses to delimit the impact of bottlenecks and therefore grows the investment of Spanish companies in this area: 40% have allocated a part of their budget to this end in the last year, while 48% have planned to do so. In addition, 43% optimized the solutions they already had. Specifically, the 3 areas in which companies have focused their automation efforts have been inventory management (59%), orders processing (59%) and monitoring of shipments (44%).
However, some persist obstacles that stop the implementation of a smart supply chain and that bottlenecks would improve as the large initial investment that supposes (33%), supplier dependence (29%) or concerns about cybersecurity (25%). The organizational challenges (24%), such as the little clarity in the distribution of responsibilities or the possible internal criticisms, and the difficulties in integrating the automation tools in the existing system (23%) also slow down the implementation in the industry.
Europe as a strategic refuge
Geopolitical factors continue to impact strongly on business perspectives and prevents the damage of bottlenecks from being limited. The war in Ukraine and the commercial conflict between the US and China are perceived as the greatest threats (59 %and 58 %, respectively), followed by tensions between the EU and China (57 %) and the increase in US tariffs (52 %).
Therefore, many companies reinforce their presence in Europe. In the last year, 46% closed new agreements with companies from the north, west and center of the continentand 38% plan to do it in the next 12 months. Also the south and the east European have gained weight, with 32 % of companies that have established new commercial relations in these areas recently and 39 % who plan to do so soon. Alliances outside the continent are, however, more limited, since they are between 10% of Africa and 18% of regions such as South America or the South, Southeast and this Asian. The United States, meanwhile, stays with 17% of alliances.
Consequently, demands to government reflect that same need for European cohesion. 48% request strengthening of the single European market through economic stimulus programs, 47% ask the decoupling of critical components dependence through the expansion of production capacities in Europe and 46% want a reduction in bureaucracy within the European Union to strengthen domestic trade.
In addition, to guarantee the continuity of their business activity, Spanish companies claim more investment to boost SMEs (49%), a more agile bureaucracy (46%) and greater support for the investigation of new technologies (44%). Also 40 % bet on more investment in digital infrastructure to achieve technological sovereignty.
“If something has taught us in recent years, we live in a time of constant changes”, Summarizes Christian Reinwald, Director of Product Management and Marketing at Reichelt Elektronik. “Just as the situation of supply chains can be quickly altered by pandemics, wars, commercial conflicts or other unforeseen events, companies must transform and adapt with the same speed to avoid bottlenecks. Automation and intelligent solutions can help on that path; For the rest, the slogan is to keep calm and persevere. This demonstrates the great resilience of companies”
