The 2025 online mystery shopping study by Interconnection Consulting highlights a paradox in the German prefabricated house industry: manufacturers are responding faster to inquiries, yet the quality of their responses has declined. A comprehensive analysis of 85 prefabricated house manufacturers, conducted between June and July 2025, shows that 60.0% of companies responded within 24 hours compared to 48.4% in 2023, with the average response time falling from 2.9 to 2.7 working days.

“Companies are clearly investing in faster response systems” noted Allison Carranza, author of the study, “however, speed without substance creates a hollow customer experience.” Despite this progress, the quality of responses is falling short. Only 23.5% of manufacturers addressed all four questions in the inquiry, while 28.2% failed to provide relevant answers altogether. The evaluation covered energy efficiency information, financing options, viewing opportunities, and delivery timeframes.

Information-sharing methods also shifted, with fewer manufacturers sending catalogues or PDFs and more suggesting follow-up conversations, reflecting a move away from providing comprehensive information upfront. At the same time, digital communication remains limited, as many manufacturers continue to prefer telephone conversations and personal meetings, while video meeting offers declined significantly.

Industry Performance and Market Implications

Among the best performers, Keitel Haus achieved the highest overall ranking with strong results across all categories, while Kampa, FingerHaus, and Regnauer also stood out for responsiveness and quality. Huf Haus and Fischer earned recognition for their competence and customer orientation. Nevertheless, areas for improvement are evident: fixed-price guarantees were rarely mentioned, information on KfW funding opportunities was provided by only a handful of companies, and nearly 70% of inquiries received no follow-up at all. “The results reveal an industry in transition” explained Carranza. “While manufacturers are becoming more responsive, they struggle to balance speed with substance”. The findings underscore the importance of digital customer service and structured communication processes in a market where over 94% of consumers rely on the internet as their main source of information.

About the Study

The IC Online Mystery Shopping study for prefabricated houses in Germany provides essential insights for effective sales strategies in this highly competitive market. It analyses both quantitative metrics and qualitative customer service elements to deliver comprehensive market intelligence.

The fire-rated doors market across Europe’s nine leading countries—Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Benelux, Czechia, Italy, Poland, and Switzerland—experienced a temporary decline in 2024, with market value contracting by -2.3% to EUR 3.7 billion and unit sales falling by -5.7% to 3.3 million doors according to a recent study published by Interconnection Consulting. This setback was largely due to persistent inflation, rising material and production costs, and a cautious investment climate affecting the construction sector. However, this downturn is expected to be short-lived. From 2025 onwards, the market is projected to recover strongly, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2% until 2028. The rebound will be supported by new investments in transportation and defense infrastructure, stricter fire safety regulations, and a shift toward more individual, customized and technologically advanced solutions. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom remained the leading markets, accounting for 64.2% of total market value. The remaining share was distributed among Austria, Benelux, Czechia, Italy, Poland, and Switzerland. In Country level Germany faced the sharpest decline, with unit sales dropping by -8.7% in 2024. Higher interest rates and soaring construction costs pushed several manufacturers to the brink of bankruptcy. France followed with a -6.0% drop in sales, driven by economic uncertainty and rising raw material prices, while the UK saw a -3.4% contraction amid ongoing inflation and geopolitical tensions. 30-minute fire-rated doors continued to lead overall sales—accounting for 65.2% of all units sold—despite an 8.1% year-on-year decline, reflecting a gradual shift toward higher resistance levels in response to stricter standards. The move towards individualized solutions and higher fire-resistance levels is reshaping the industry, pushing manufacturers to innovate and adapt their business models, market remains fragmented, with a strong presence of local manufacturers. At the European level, however, a group of leading players—including ASSA ABLOY, Bristol Fire Engineering, Daloc, DFM Europe, EAB, Hörmann, JELD-WEN, JH Industries – HUET, Mercor, NAFFCO, Novoferm, Peneder Holding, Schüco, Stalprodukt Zamość, and Teckentrup—are expected to benefit from the upcoming rebound.

The Austrian market for external recruitment and executive search services closed 2024 with its second consecutive year of significant decline. According to the latest study by Interconnection Consulting, based on analysis of over 50 recruitment firms representing the majority of market activity, industry revenues fell by 7.0% to €199.7 million, marking a steeper contraction than the 2.8% decline observed in 2023. The number of filled positions dropped by 13.4% underlining the cautious attitude of many companies in the face of economic uncertainties, higher costs, and ongoing structural shifts in the labour market.  

Premium Segments Show Resilience

Despite the overall decline, the study highlights a clear shift toward higher-value services. While the total number of placements decreased significantly, average placement fees increased across all salary segments, with growth ranging from 5.3% to 7.7% depending on the wage category. Executive Search, the premium segment serving positions above €85,000, demonstrated relative resilience with a more modest 6,6% decline in volume compared to 9,5% for entry-level positions below €35,000. This trend reflects agencies concentrating their resources on profiles that generate stronger margins and provide longer-term value for clients.

IT and Finance Lead Market Share

Sector analysis reveals continued dominance by knowledge-intensive industries. IT and Telecommunications maintained its leadership position with 22.2% of total market revenue, followed closely by Finance and Professional Services. Together with Sales and Marketing, these three sectors account for nearly 60% of the entire market. In stark contrast, traditional administrative functions and contact centers recorded severe declines respectively, reflecting the accelerating impact of digitalization and automation on these roles.

The Demographic Time Bomb

Beyond cyclical economic pressures, the study identifies a critical structural challenge approaching the market. A wave of executive retirements is creating unprecedented demand for senior-level succession planning, particularly affecting the executive search segment. This demographic shift presents both challenges and opportunities: while companies struggle to find suitable leadership successors, they must also adapt to the expectations of Generation Z and Millennial candidates who demand purpose, flexibility, and respect alongside competitive compensation.

Engineering Emerges as Growth Bright Spot

Bucking the overall decline trend, the Engineering sector posted modest growth of 0.5%, signaling renewed momentum in technical and specialized skills. This development, combined with the continued strength in IT services, suggests that Austria's transition toward a more technology and innovation-driven economy is creating new pockets of demand even amid broader market contraction.

Market Outlook: Recovery on the Horizon

While 2024 brought deeper decline than anticipated, the study's analysis suggests the market is approaching a turning point. The combination of demographic pressures, delayed hiring decisions from the previous two years, and Austria's strong economic fundamentals points toward recovery beginning in 2025. Recruitment firms that have successfully navigated this downturn by focusing on specialization, technology integration, and strategic advisory services are best positioned to capitalize on the expected upturn. The Austrian recruitment market's ability to maintain pricing power even during volume declines demonstrates the industry's evolution toward higher-value partnerships. As companies prepare for post-recession growth and address looming succession challenges, the recruitment sector remains a critical enabler of Austria's economic transformation.

According to a recently launched market report by Interconnection Consulting the global injection molding machine (IMM) market rebounded in 2024, recording a value increase of 4.0% to €9.9 billion in terms of Value. Demand was supported by ongoing strength in packaging, renewed momentum in automotive and electronics, and accelerating adoption of automation and new-generation technologies. While market volumes increased, pricing pressure remained high, reflecting intensifying global competition.

Despite rising volumes, average selling prices fell by 3–4%, reflecting intensifying global price competition. Looking ahead, the market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% through 2028, signalling sustained long-term potential.

Regional Divergence: Asia Surges, Western Markets Struggle

Asia strengthened its dominance with 53% of the global IMM market. China emerged as the top growth driver, bolstered by aggressive renewal programs, while India consolidated its position through rising population and strong demand in the packaging sector.

In contrast, Europe (21%) and North America faced headwinds from rising costs, weaker demand, and political and trade uncertainties. Latin America became a pivotal battleground: Asian manufacturers, led by Chinese brands, made sweeping gains in Mexico, steadily displacing the traditional European and North American suppliers.

Industry Leadership in Transition

The IMM market in 2024 remained highly consolidated, with a handful of major players shaping global developments. However, competitive dynamics are evolving rapidly. Asian manufacturers strengthened their international presence, benefiting from cost advantages, faster delivery times, and expanding service networks. In response, established Western producers are reinforcing their positions in high-technology and specialized segments, while also adapting strategies to remain competitive in more price-sensitive markets. This shift highlights an industry in transition, where global reach and adaptability are becoming as important as innovation and technology leadership.

2025 Outlook: Growth Amid Trade Disruptions

Although 2025 began with optimism, U.S. tariff policy shifts under Trump have disrupted sales in North America. In response, several IMM manufacturers are redirecting exports from China to alternative markets. Despite these trade disruptions, the global IMM market is still expected to grow at a moderated pace in 2025, with Asia’s dominance set to expand further.

Western manufacturers are focusing on premium segments while cautiously diversifying into mid-range offerings to remain competitive in emerging regions. The competitive showdown between cost-driven Asian challengers and innovation-led Western leaders is no longer regional—it is global.