The world economy remains marked by uncertainty and geopolitical conflicts, despite this, Spanish companies resist falling into pessimism. And, although there are great difficulties in accessing components, the costs continue to grow and interruptions in supply chains are increasingly common, the national industry shows a surprising capacity to adapt and maintain its competitiveness.
This is highlighted by the new study prepared by Reichelt Elektronik, where it analyzes how companies are responding to the logistics and economic challenges of recent months.
Spain, among the most resilient in Europe
The report reveals that 94% of Spanish companies have suffered the impact of bottlenecks on their supply chains during the last year, and 22% admit that interruptions were especially serious. Even so, Spain records an average of 17 days of productive unemployment, well below that of countries such as Germany (27), Italy (24) or France (21). A figure that demonstrates the speed of response of the Spanish industrial fabric to logistics crises and its adaptation ability to adversity.
The provisioning problems, however, are still present: 32% of companies recognize difficulties in obtaining certain components, especially spare parts, semiconductors and machinery. This global agency continues to be a risk factor that forces companies to rethink their supply strategies.
Although there are great difficulties in accessing components, costs continue to grow and interruptions in supply chains are increasingly common, the national industry shows a surprising capacity to adapt and maintain its competitiveness
“If something has been taught us in recent years, we live in a time of constant changes,” explains Christian Reinwald, director of Product Management and Marketing at Reichelt Elektronik. “Just as the situation of supply chains can be rapidly altered by pandemics, wars or commercial conflicts, companies must transform and adapt with the same speed.”
Even with everything, optimism is maintained: two out of three Spanish companies believe that the situation will improve in the next twelve months, overcoming the confidence of countries such as Italy (62%), Germany (48%) or France (40%).
Prices and energy, the great enemies of the business margin
The price increase is another of the great challenges for Spanish companies. 84% say that the rise in critical components has had a greater impact than logistics bottlenecks themselves, and 70% indicate the increase in energy cost as an added obstacle. To this is added the competition of suppliers with lower prices (62%), which further complicates the profitability of operations.
This combination of factors generates strong financial stress: three out of four companies recognize that the world economic context directly affects them, and 65% also points to the national environment as a cause of pressure. The answer is being diversify and reinforce supply chains: 46% have already undertaken this process and 51% plan to do it soon. In addition, 50% bet on local suppliers and 48% reinforces their cybersecurity strategies to maintain operational continuity.
Automation and AI, keys to shield production
Automation has become the best ally to resist global instability. According to the study, 40% of Spanish companies have invested in automating processes during the last year and 48% plans to do it in the short term. The priorities focus on inventory management, orders processing and shipping follow -up: areas where artificial intelligence and connected systems provide efficiency, traceability and cost savings.
However, the implementation of intelligent technologies still faces barriers. The initial investment (33%), the dependence of technological suppliers (29%) and the concerns around cybersecurity (25%) are the main brakes. To this is added internal problems, such as the lack of clarity in responsibilities or the difficulty of integrating new systems in already consolidated infrastructure.
Europe, shelter and strategic opportunity
Geopolitical tensions continue to mark the pulse of global trade. For 59%of companies, the war in Ukraine represents the greatest threat, followed by the commercial conflict between the United States and China (58%) and the tensions between the European Union and the Asian giant (57%).
Given this panorama, Spanish companies reinforce their proximity strategy. In the last year, 46% have closed new agreements with partners of the North, West and Central Europe, and 38% plans to expand these alliances. Collaboration with the South and East of the continent also grows, while relations with extra -community regions remain more limited.
The national business fabric also asks for a political response aligned with this trend: 48% claims European economic stimulus programs, 47% asks to enhance local production of critical components and 46% request to reduce bureaucracy to facilitate domestic trade.
The demands are completed with three clear priorities: more investment in SMEs (49%), greater administrative agility (46%) and support for research in new technologies (44%). Almost half of the companies also underlines the need to invest in digital infrastructure to reinforce European technological sovereignty.
