Ornamental stone companies are optimistic about the sector’s performance in August

A positive expectation was indicated by 80% of the industries operating in the domestic market and 67% operating in the foreign market in a recent survey carried out by Centrorochas and Sindirochas.

Since the beginning of the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus, the Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stones Exporters (Centrorochas) and Sindirochas (Union of the Ornamental Stones, Lime and Limestone Industry of the State of Espírito Santo) have carried out monthly consultations with companies in the sector with in order to draw an overview of the effects caused by the global health crisis. In the last survey, carried out between the 3rd and the 7th, most companies indicated a positive expectation for the sector’s performance in August. Growth expectations were pointed out by 80% of the companies operating in the domestic market and 67% of those focusing on the foreign market.

Companies related to processing, extraction, marble making and other activities participated in the survey. Regarding July, none of the industries reported that the reality was worse than expectations at the beginning of that month. For 64%, the reality was better than expected, and 36% pointed out that the result for the month was within the previously forecast.

The collection of information took place via an electronic form published in the WhatsApp groups of the entities. 50 valid responses were received, with the number of employees considered among the participants being 80% small and medium-sized companies, 18% micro companies and 2% large companies. Among the industries operating in the domestic and foreign markets, 35% indicated that there was no impact on their areas of activity.

Among exporting companies, 54% indicated that they are facing difficulties in shipping their products. The lack of containers was pointed out by 28%, and another 23% indicated the lack of space on ships.

dismissals

Among the companies that participated in the consultation, 88% believe that there will be no layoffs as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Entrepreneurs’ confidence has been increasing over the months. In July, 21% believed that layoffs should still occur, in June this data was even higher, 41%. For August, only 12% of companies indicated the possibility of layoffs due to the health crisis.

Click here and check out all the survey data.