Market Monitor - Focus on steel & metals - Netherlands

Market Monitor

  • Netherlands
  • Metals,
  • Steel

10th September 2015

Insolvencies have decreased in 2014 and are expected to level off in 2015. The insolvency level in this segment is quite low.

  • The Dutch steel and metals sector is highly dependent on domestic economic development, especially construction sector performance. Therefore, the industry has benefited from the economic rebound in the Netherlands since 2014. Both turnover and investments increased last year, and are expected to grow further in 2015. Production increased 1.8% in 2014.
  • The profits of steel/metal businesses have increased in 2014, and are expected to level off in 2015. However, competition remains high, and many businesses still hold large stockpiles, financed with long-term debt. Existing bank facilities are usually continued, however some steel/metals businesses still have difficulties obtaining new loans.
  • Payment behaviour is quite stable, and it is expected that non-payment notifications will decrease further in 2015 due to the economic rebound. However, with 90 days on average, payment terms are quite long compared to other sectors.
  • Due to the economic recovery and better sector performance, we relaxed our underwriting stance in 2014. However, close monitoring of buyers is still necessary due to the very competitive business environment, which could lead to decreasing margins or even the loss of contracts/orders for some steel/metals businesses.

Related documents

Download
Market Monitor September 2015

1010KB PDF

Related content

Market Monitor - ICT Industry - The Netherlands

Report

In 2015, the Dutch ICT sector is expected to grow 3 % in volume, on the back of the country’s economic rebound (GDP is forecast to grow 1.7 %).

Payment Practices Barometer Netherlands

Report

The strong focus on protection of exports from the risk of payment default by customers comes as no surprise for the Netherlands, whose GDP growth is heavily dependent on international trade.

Country Report The Netherlands

Report

The rebound of the Dutch economy is expected to accelerate in 2015, with export growth accompanied by a recovery in private consumption, industrial production and investment.

Products

News and Publications

Legal and Privacy

Twitter YouTube LinkedIn

© Atradius N.V. 2004 - 2024

Disclaimer, no warranties and exclusion of liability

Atradius disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose of (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO) any information contained on or provided via this Web Site and/or any service described or promoted on this Web Site, including warranties with respect to infringement of any patent, copyright, or other rights of third parties. Atradius shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage or expense arising out of any access to or use of this Web Site or any site linked to or from this Web Site, including, without limitation, any loss of profit, indirect, incidental or consequential loss. Atradius furthermore shall not be liable for persons, property damage or especially direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, immediate or subsequent (pecuniary) loss. While Atradius has used reasonable efforts in maintaining a virus-free Web Site, it declines any liability for persons, property damage or especially direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, immediate or subsequent (pecuniary) loss which may result from transmission or downloading of computer viruses. Atradius cannot be held liable for hardware damage, loss of data, alteration of data, or downtime.