Kapazitätsüberhang

Kapazitätsüberhang refers to a situation where the available production capacity of a company or a sector exceeds the actual demand for its goods or services. This means that the resources, such as machinery, labor, or facilities, are not being fully utilized.

Several factors can lead to Kapazitätsüberhang. These include inaccurate demand forecasting, a significant downturn in the economy, increased competition leading to reduced market share, or the introduction of new technologies that render existing capacity less efficient or obsolete. Companies might also intentionally build excess capacity to handle anticipated future growth or to deter new market entrants.

The consequences of Kapazitätsüberhang can be significant. It can lead to increased costs per unit due to underutilization of fixed assets, reduced profitability, and pressure on pricing. Companies may respond by cutting production, reducing staff, seeking new markets, or investing in product innovation to stimulate demand. In some industries, a persistent Kapazitätsüberhang can lead to consolidation or the exit of less competitive players from the market. Managing capacity effectively and aligning it with market demand is a key challenge for businesses across various sectors.