Mature Western European Fall Protection Market Still Provides Growth Opportunities, Says Frost & Sullivan

Increasing employment in the wind energy sector and improved compliance in the transportation sector offer untapped potential

London, /PRNewswire/ - The fall protection market in western Europe is mature, although not yet saturated. Specific product segments, such as confined space access systems and rescue equipment, offer higher scope for growth as employers recognise the need for an appropriate fall protection regime for their employees. With the European construction and industrial sectors still in recovery mode, opportunities for growth are expected to arise from wind energy and transportation sectors.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.chemicals.frost.com), Analysis of the Western European Fall Protection Market, finds that the market earned revenues of €289.2 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach €333.6 million in 2016, boosted by stricter safety regulations and the expanding market for training and other fall protection services. The product types covered in this research include soft goods, hard goods, installed systems, access systems and rescue equipment.

"Training services, in particular, have been gaining importance as end-user education is seen as critical to ensuring correct equipment usage," noted Frost & Sullivan Chemicals & Materials Research Analyst Aparna Balasubramanian. "This has paved the way for improved awareness and compliance, while encouraging the adoption of fall protection equipment."

Strategic partnerships with training organisations and other service providers have, moreover, helped manufacturers to enhance customer relationships and promote brand loyalty.

At present, awareness and compliance at the end-user level on fall protection are still not optimal. Hence, the market is yet to realise its true potential. Increasing employment in the wind energy sector and improved compliance in the transportation sector offer opportunities for further market growth.

However, this crowded, highly price-sensitive market is currently flooded with low-cost Asian imports. Pricing pressures are lowering the average selling price and, in turn, overall market revenues.

"The price competition is especially high in the soft goods segment, which is a relatively easier market for Asian manufacturers to penetrate," explained Balasubramanian. "As European market participants struggle to meet this challenge, they face the prospect of decreasing profit margins."

Product differentiation will be a crucial competitive factor. Market success will also depend on exploring new opportunities in unmet niche applications, focussing on product customisation to suit specific applications, offering solid customer service and entering into strategic partnerships with service providers and distributors.

"Manufacturers should develop novel materials and products to meet the needs of emerging end-user sectors such as wind energy," advised Balasubramanian. "Technological advancements on existing generic products will enable companies to stand out of the competition and attract new customers."

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail with your contact details to Chiara Carella, Corporate Communications, at chiara.carella@frost.com.

Analysis of the Western European Fall Protection Market is part of the Chemicals & Materials Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets: GCC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market and North American Gas Detection Markets Analysis. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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