The government's economic judgment is "deteriorating" for the first time in about 11 years Report from the area April 24, 15:02
“The economy is rapidly deteriorating due to the impact of the new coronavirus infection, and it is in a very difficult situation.” The
government expressed in its monthly economic report compiled on the 23rd, about the current state of the economy, We have revised down our economic judgment for the second consecutive month following last month. It is the first time in 10 years and 11 months since May 2009 after the Lehman shock that the term “deterioration” is included in economic judgment. It is a report from the front line of the Shinkin Bank's business, where the manufacturing industry is getting more and more difficult day by day, and lending consultations are being inundated by businesses.
I can't see the end ... The manufacturing scene
Founded in 1959, the metal processing company in Matsue City has delivered products to major automobile manufacturers with its advanced technology that heats metal parts to increase strength. However, due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, Mazda's business partner cut the number of working days of the plant by about half from the end of March. I will.
The two "heat treatment furnaces" that were used to process the parts that Mazda will hold have always been operating 24 hours a day, but now we have decided to stop both. Furthermore, although there are 11 machines that manufacture parts for electric vehicles, only 5 are operating. May's sales are expected to drop by half compared to the same period last year.
Yoshio Kanazaki, the president, laments, "I'm worried about my lack of experience. I can't help what I can't see the end of."
In order to protect the employment of more than 60 employees while sales are decreasing, this company plans to shorten the working hours and increase the number of holidays, but the overtime is almost gone and the salary is 10%. It will decrease. While the number of jobs is decreasing one after another, the cost of maintaining equipment is 4 million yen every month, and if this situation continues, he will have to consider getting a loan from a financial institution.
President Kanazaki said, “I hope every day that employees can work with peace of mind. To do that, we need support in various ways. We will endure the entire company and work hard.” It was
Some companies focus on sales
On the other hand, some companies are focusing on sales in order to overcome this difficult situation. A sheet metal processing company in Yunnan City, Shimane Prefecture, manufactures parts for Chubo equipment used in restaurants and other places. However, due to the request for self-restraint to go out, the performance of the food service industry has declined across the board, and it is expected that this company will also reduce its sales by about 30% next month.
I would like to cultivate new business partners in order to secure orders, but I will not be able to leave business trips outside the prefecture, and sales will only be by phone or email. We will work for a company that all employees in the sales department have a relationship with, but it is said that it is not easy to take new orders as the economy deteriorates rapidly. We have nearly 60 sales every day, and we have new orders, but we do not have a clear outlook for the future.
President Koki Koyama said, "After the fact, the influence of the new coronavirus has come to a considerable extent, and it has not been seen since June. However, the amount itself is not large, and I think that we will do our best every day, assuming the worst as a management team. "
Lots of loan counseling
Due to the spread of infections, the number of businesses such as restaurants seeking support from financial institutions continues to increase. The financial institutions that receive the consultation are also operating in an emergency.
Genji Morinaga, who is in charge of sales at Chikugo Shinkin Bank, which has its head office in Kurume City, Fukuoka, sends a consultation every day from a business operator seeking working capital. The ramen shop I visited on that day had been closed for business from April due to the spread of infection.
In a loan consultation, Morinaga said, "Even if the principal is left unchanged, the repayment will increase again in one year or two years, so it would be easier to make a loan with that in mind. I think. "
Kiyoshi Onizuka, who runs a ramen shop, was under pressure to continue paying off for a long time. This is because monthly repayments will be difficult if sales are not restored. Mr. Onizuka says, "If you don't have the power to fight now, you might have to go further, but there's no way to do it. I'd like you to ask where you can."
On the other hand, Mr. Morinaga of Shinkin Bank also felt pressure. This is because we must avoid loans that have no prospect of repayment. Morinaga said, "It's a difficult thing to do because we have to present a reasonable amount of money."
As a result of the consultation, the ramen shop is considering additional financing.
The sales department of the Shinkin Bank head office is currently inundated with loan consultations. Mr. Yu Maruyama says, “Inbound relations and travel agencies increased in January and February, restaurants increased in March, and consultations from all industries began in April.”
The Shinkin Bank holds a salesperson meeting every Monday, and there were reports that the meeting was called for urgently to procure working capital.
The sales representatives reported that "I would like to make a loan in April if possible" or "I want to use it for the payment at the end of the month, so I will respond quickly".
Loans are easy to receive for businesses due to various support such as low interest rates and exemption of guarantee fees. However, as a credit union, it is necessary to deal with a flood of consultations while avoiding the risk of loan losses.
Mr. Maruyama said, "I can't see the end, so I'm worried about how bad it will be. There is a point that I can make up for it, and I'm doing it in the dark."
At the ramen shop that Mr. Morinaga was in charge of, we started a new takeout of ramen to recover sales as much as possible. Put soup in a plastic bottle and sell ingredients such as char siu as a set. It is said that you can enjoy the same ramen at home as well.
Mr. Onizuka of the ramen shop said, "I can't wait anymore. So I have to change or switch. It's little by little, but I think I'm moving forward."
Morinaga said that he was relieved that the ramen shop started to move forward with his own efforts, "I think it is best to help the customer now, so I would like to present good products." I am talking.