From 2007 to 2012, the Swedish market for wooden single-family houses was characterized by an enormous downfall. Produced units per year decreased from 12 100 to 4 800, i.e. 60 %. Yet, firms seem not to have adjusted their businesses or costs accordingly, since production costs per m² housing area increased by 20 %. Looking back to 2001, costs even increased by more than 60 % (Schauerte et al., 2015). These numbers might point on serious problems related to the firms’ overall performances.

From 2010 to 2013, the total industry turnover decreased by 7 %, the total industry assets by 8 % and the average industry performance by 1 %. Thus, looking at the industry as a whole, it seems that firms try to adjust their fixed costs, here total assets, to the market development.

Looking at the firm level, wide differences exist with changes in P ranging from –67 % to +138 %. In total, 20 firms improved their performance and 29 firms downgraded it.