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Swiss tech industry is struggling: sales crisis and gloomy prospects!
Analyze investment uncertainty in the Swiss tech industry in 2025: declines in sales, market analysis and solutions.
Swiss tech industry is struggling: sales crisis and gloomy prospects!
The Swiss tech industry continues to face significant challenges. According to a report by SRF Sales fell for the eighth quarter in a row. Last year, the industry recorded a decline in sales in the machinery, electrical and metal industries by almost 5 percent, while the first quarter of this year ended with a decline of 3 percent. The industry association Swissmem reports that capacity utilization in companies has fallen to 81.1 percent, which is below the long-term average of 86 percent.
The reasons for this critical situation are diverse. The weak economy in Germany, the most important sales country for the Swiss tech industry, plays a key role. In addition, the unpredictable US policy regarding tariffs, the ongoing war in Ukraine and the sluggish economy in China are weighing on the industry. Klaus Abberger from the KOF at ETH Zurich describes the ongoing lack of investment as unusual and worrying, as there has been uncertainty about future investments for a long time, which is putting pressure on companies.
Negative market development
In the first quarter of 2025, incoming orders in the tech industry remained almost unchanged, with a decrease of only 0.3 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. However, goods exports rose slightly by 0.7 percent to 17 billion francs. Export development varied greatly depending on the market region: While exports to the USA rose by 5.3 percent and to the EU by 0.8 percent, exports to Asia fell by 6.6 percent.
| Market region | Change in exports |
|---|---|
| USA | +5.3% |
| EU | +0.8% |
| Asia | -6.6% |
A look at exports by product group shows that precision instruments stood out positively with an increase of 4.5 percent. In contrast, electrical engineering/electronics recorded an increase of 1.4 percent, while mechanical engineering and metals suffered declines of 2.9 and 1.6 percent. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for industry worldwide is below the growth threshold, underlining the worrying situation.
Outlook and demands
Swissmem President Martin Hirzel calls for the conclusion of free trade agreements, especially with the Mercosur states, in order to avoid competitive disadvantages compared to the EU. It also highlights the need to extend the duration of short-time work compensation to 24 months in order to provide companies with planning security. Despite the adverse circumstances, positive signals are also pointed out, in particular the decrease in political uncertainty in Germany and the planned investment packages in Germany and Europe. The industry should therefore not write off the year entirely.