Adegi detects high pessimism in Guipuzcoan companies, especially in industry

Confidence in Guipuzcoan companies is at levels of high pessimism, especially in industry, according to the latest Adegi Economic Situation Survey. However, the Guipuzcoana employers expect GDP growth of between 2% and 2.5% by 2026, which would also be driven almost entirely by services.

Adegi also plans to create between 2,000 and 2,500 salaried jobs this year, mostly in the service sector.

Industry in the most difficult situation

According to data presented this Friday by Adegi's president, Isabel Busto, 23% of companies believe that their market is in recession, while as many perceive a recovery, according to employers, we are facing one of the worst results since 2021.

The situation is particularly difficult in industry, with 31.5% of industrial enterprises considering it to be in recession, 7.5 points higher than a year ago, while construction and services are around 10%.

The portfolio of orders also shows a worsening situation, with 36% of companiesand 45.5%of industrial companies showing a weak level of demand, the worst since January 2021.

On the other hand, the average turnover of companies has increased by 2.2% over the previous quarter, but this growth has been driven mainly by services, which have grown by 4% in the sector and only 1.2% in industry.

Absenteeism and costs, among the main concerns

With regard to employment, 86.5 per cent of companies expectto maintain or increase their workforce, although in the case of industry this indicator has fallen by six points since last year, and 21.5 per cent of industrial enterprises believe that they are currently overstaffed.

Among the main concerns of companies are labour costs, wage increases and absenteeism, which, according to Adegi, has increased most since April, as have the costs of raw materials and energy and supply problems, as well as difficulties in finding qualified staff.

Faced with this situation, employers are calling for more investment in technology and artificial intelligence applied to industry, capital for transformation projects, measures for small businesses to gain size and a greater commitment to talent.