The situation of the Swiss mechanical and electrical engineering industries (MEM industries) presents a mixed picture. On the one hand, the development of new orders is pleasing, showing a 12.4 percent year-on-year rise in the first nine months of 2016. Companies’ expectations for the twelve months ahead have also improved over the course of the year. On the other hand, sales declined by 3.4 percent in the period between January and September 2016. Goods exports rose by a negligible amount (+0.4%). Given the current momentum of new orders, sales should bounce back over the course of the next year. However, the question of whether this will deliver any improvement in the bottom line still remains. The franc has once again appreciated against the euro over the last few weeks. As before, many businesses – particularly SMEs – are having to contend with heavy pressure on their prices and margins. A number of these companies are fighting for survival.
