The Austrian market for interior doors recorded a continuation of the negative trend last year, with manufacturer revenues falling by 2.9 percent to around 159 million euros fenster-tueren-technik.de. Although the pace of the decline has slowed compared to previous years, the current market development illustrates the delayed effects of the construction crisis on the supply industry. The industry remains under significant pressure as the declining construction activity in structural engineering is now reaching the finishing trades with a time lag.
The economic losses result primarily from the weakening new construction sector, with residential construction in particular identified as a major burdening factor. In contrast, the replacement procurement segment proved to be a stabilizing force and kept the previous year's level largely constant. Among product types, glass doors and doors with honeycomb cores in particular recorded significant declines, while solid chipboard and laminate doors as well as solid wood doors were able to hold their own in a difficult environment.
Despite persistently high material costs, competition within the industry has intensified and is increasingly being fought over price. Since the effects of the construction crisis in interior finishing usually only occur with a delay of several quarters, the situation for market participants will remain tense in the near future. Companies are responding to these challenges with increased consolidation and a strategic focus on more stable market segments.
