News I published 04 November 2022
Will the market run out of painters, and should we be worried?
Labour shortage is one of the major challenges the European professional paint industry is facing. Because the outflow of labour, mainly due to retirement, exceeds the inflow of labour in the form of new generations of painters, labour shortages are an ever increasing problem for professional paint companies.
That is why we have been monitoring labour shortages for many years in USP Marketing Consultancy’s Painter Insight Monitor, which covers professional painters in 11 major European markets. According to the findings of the 2022 report, an even larger percentage of the 2200 interviewed painters is expecting to be affected by labour shortages.
Even more European painters perceive shortages of skilled painters
Three quarters of European painters stated that there are shortages of skilled painters in their country in 2022, a major rise from the 64-65% of the previous two years. As in previous years, shortages seem most pressing in Germany and the Netherlands, where 90% of painters see labour shortages in their sector.
In most other countries, perception of shortages increased significantly, and the most dramatic growth is seen in Spain. In 2021, Spanish painters were least affected, with only 45% reporting that there were shortages of skilled painters. In 2022, that percentage exploded to a whopping 69%. In Denmark, perceived shortages rose from 56% in 2020 to 85% in 2022.
Only 7% of painters are below 35 years of age
As can be seen in the image, the average age of the European painter is still increasing. The baby boomer generation (now 58 years or older) is represented by about a quarter of the painters and will leave the market for a well-earned retirement within a decade.
Meanwhile, the youngest generation of painters, those under 35 years of age, is decreasing year by year, most recently from 10% in 2020 to merely 7% of painters in 2022. Given these trends, which show the above-mentioned outflux of labour outweighing the influx of labour, it is clear that labour shortages will be plaguing European painters even more in the years to come.
Meanwhile, painters’ workloads increase
As labour shortages eat at the supply side of the painting practise, demand is high. More than half of the European painters expects their workload to increase in 2022. The net result is that fewer painters have to do more paint jobs, putting a lot of pressure on painting companies throughout Europe.
For manufacturers of paint and paint-related products, there is an opportunity to help and alleviate the situation of painters. This can be any solution that saves time and improves efficiency on the paint jobs themselves or on other jobs that occupy the painter, like the search for information on products.
In relation to the media orientation of professional painters, which is the theme topic of the 2022 Painter Insight Monitor, manufacturers could help save time and improve efficiency by providing instruction videos and easy-to-find online product information and product sheets, for instance. For an overview of trends and opportunities in 11 European markets, USP Marketing Consultancy’s 2022 Painter Insight Monitor is now available.
Read more
16 October 2024 I Henri Busker
The Building Blocks of Prefab: Key Materials
11 October 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Rethinking European Construction: Prefab Trends
24 September 2024 I Jeroen de Gruijl
Blockchain, AI, AR and IoT – Architects’ Outlook
24 September 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Future Developments in Construction Still Far Away
Fresh Insights Await
Our relevant reports
Delve into the newest findings across various market segments, crafted for a cutting-edge overview. Explore our insightful reports, brimming with up-to-date data, trend analyses, and in-depth examinations, all tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current market dynamics.
Construction
Home Improvement
Installation
Special reports
Construction
Decision making process Q3 2024
2024 87 pages
Unveil the decision-making processes in the construction industry through the lens of European architects. Discover the factors that influence crucial decisions and the interplay among different stakeholders.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Prefab H1 2024
2024 63 pages
Discover the adoption rate and benefits of prefabrication technology among European contractors in H1 2024. Understand the driving forces behind prefab usage and its impact on project efficiency and cost-saving.
6,300 Euro
Construction
Sustainability 2024
2024 72 pages
Painter Insight Monitor 2024 will focus on understanding the specific needs, preferences, and challenges faced by painters when it comes to sustainable products.
10,815 Euro
Construction
Importance of branding & branding funnels 2024
2024 62 pages
This report offers a comprehensive overview of importance of branding and branding funnels with a specific focus on European handymen. Brand behaviour is covered for each country, showing purchasing power, differences regarding quality, sustainability, online shopping, innovation-habit and private labels,
8,400 Euro
Construction
Future of construction Q2 2024
2024 82 pages
Explore the evolving future in construction sector among European architects in Q2 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Trends in material usage Q1 2024
2024 102 pages
Explore the evolving trends in material usage among European architects in Q1 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Home Improvement
European Garden Monitor
2023 43 pages
Explore the European Garden Monitor, a comprehensive platform dedicated to garden health monitoring in Europe. Access valuable resources and expert advice today.
12,000 Euro
Home Improvement
Purchase channels Q2 2024
2024 90 pages
The European Home Improvement Monitor offers valuable insights on purchase channels in the European home improvement industry, examining the evolving preferences and behaviors of consumers across traditional retail and emerging online platforms.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 81 pages
Delve into sustainability trends in the home improvement sector in Q1 2024. Discover consumer preferences and the shift towards eco-friendly home improvement solutions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY versus DIFM Q4 2021
2024 113 pages
This report is a must-have if you’re in the home improvement industry. It provides a wealth of information on the behaviour of DIY and DIFM consumers, their motivations, and the factors that influence their purchasing decisions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY or DIFM Q4 2023
2024 70
Explore the prevailing trends between DIY and DIFM in Q4 2023. Understand consumer preferences and the factors influencing their choice between DIY and DIFM.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Branding Q3 2023
2023 93 pages
This report offers an extensive overview of the home improvement industry, with a focus on branding and the most popular brands within different categories. Within this report, you will gain insights into how customers perceive home improvement brands and what motivates them to buy certain products.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Branding Q3 2024
2024 74 pages
Discover the power of branding in the home improvement sector. Explore how strong branding influences consumer preferences and purchase decisions.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Prefab Q3 2024
2024 119 pages
This report offers a comprehensive view of the installers’ involvement and needs regarding prefabricated electrical installations.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart & Connected Products Q2 2024
2024 120 pages
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among electrical installers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart and connected products Q2 2024
2024 129
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among HVAC installers, plumbers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
BIM Q1 2024
2024 84 pages
The European Mechanical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the plumbing and HVAC industry. This report specifically focuses on BIM adaptation in the industry.
2,650 Euro
Installation
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 99 pages
The European Electrical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the sustainable solutions in the installation industry. This report specifically focuses on sustainability aspects in the industry.
3,150 Euro
Special reports
European Sustainability Report 2024
2024 51 pages
This report provides in-depth insights based on triangulation of key market information and data as well as data from USP Marketing Consultancy’s key monitors that are carried out year in, year out. The focus of this report is on the most important stakeholders within the construction industry, namely architects, contractors, electrical and HVAC installers within The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, and Spain.
3,950 Euro