If business was bad in the first quarter (Q1) 2020, then expect figures to be worse in Q2, according to responses in the latest Baird/gasworld Q1 2020 Welding and Industrial Gas Survey.
As coronavirus (Covid-19) spread through the US in March, those in the industrial gas and welding industries were preparing for a significant decline in business.
One respondent to the survey said, “Covid-19 could pull down sales for the next few months, more so if restaurants/bars are closed. We may see uptick in medical gas sales short term, we’re preparing for this with med gas inventory being built.”
Another said, “As with welding supplies, everything depends on Covid-19. Restaurant CO2 business is gone for the near future which has significant impact on sales and rental income. Research and healthcare remain strong, potentially gaining ground during this period. General manufacturing and metal working will be dependent on how essential their product is to the critical infrastructure of the US. We expect to begin seeing slowdowns as our customers are forced to shutdown due to government mandates.”
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