Improvements reported in businesses since 2026, as suggested by a study.
In the DACH region, a tense economic situation has left almost every second company under strong or existential pressure, according to recent findings. However, a majority of companies are looking towards a brighter future, with an economic recovery expected from the year 2026.
Matthias Droste, a notable figure, emphasizes the importance of the economic recovery signal, as it forces companies to question their structures and find new ways for long-term competitiveness. One such company is Expense Reduction Analysts GmbH, a subsidiary of the ERA Group, where Thomas Löwer serves as the head of Communications & Marketing.
The ERA Group, founded in 1992, specializes in improving the competitiveness of companies and organizations across various sectors, including manufacturing, retail, service, and the public sector. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the ERA Group serves over 3,500 clients.
A recent study by the ERA Group and the Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik (BME) identified primary crisis management strategies among companies in the DACH region. The focus is on resilience and agility in supply chain management, enhanced risk assessment, and strengthened collaboration across stakeholders.
Key strategies include:
- Strengthening supply chain resilience by diversifying suppliers and localizing critical procurement to reduce dependency on single sources or distant markets.
- Implementing advanced risk management processes using data analytics and scenario planning to anticipate potential disruptions early.
- Enhancing communication and collaboration internally and with external partners, including suppliers and government bodies, to enable rapid coordinated responses.
- Integrating digital tools and automation to improve operational transparency and speed in crisis detection and response.
These approaches align with the broader trends observed in the DACH region's business environment, where companies are proactively investing in innovation, digitization, and sustainable practices to build future-proof operations and mitigate geopolitical and economic risks.
While specific detailed findings from the ERA Group and BME study are not directly cited in the provided search results, these strategies are consistent with current expert analyses on crisis management in this region.
The initial focus for companies is on operational stabilization, efficiency improvement, and liquidity security. Personnel measures play a subordinate role, while procurement gains in importance, with supply chains being secured, purchasing prices reduced, and new partnerships established.
Sustainability and strategic personnel development are temporarily put on the back burner, as high energy costs, excessive bureaucracy, and volatile markets pose major challenges for companies in the DACH region. The demands of companies on politics are clear: deregulation, stable energy prices, and predictable framework conditions are at the top of the list.
Dr. Lars Kleeberg, BME CEO, confirms the survey results and the cautious optimism for the coming year, citing the HCOB purchasing manager index Germany (EMI) as evidence. Financial support is hardly mentioned, and the wish for entrepreneurial freedom of action in a stable environment is in the foreground.
For more information about the ERA Group and their implementation-oriented consulting services along the entire value chain, including energy purchasing and optimization, supply chain management, and digitalization, visit www.eragroup.com.
- Matthias Droste's emphasis on the economic recovery signal encourages companies like Expense Reduction Analysts GmbH, under pressure in the DACH region, to reevaluate their structures and search for long-term competitiveness in the finance industry.
- Realizing the importance of robust supply chain management and risk assessment, businesses in the DACH region are adopting strategies recommended by the ERA Group and BME, such as supply chain diversification, advanced risk management, and strengthening stakeholder collaboration, to position themselves favorably in the uncertain business environment.
