BRISTOL, ENGLAND -- The injection molding markets in Switzerland and Austria remained stable in 2012 thanks to having some of the most technically advanced companies in Europe, according to Applied Market Information Ltd.

Switzerland is strong in serving niche electrical, technical and medical markets, while Austrian molders supply the automotive industry in central and Eastern Europe, according to guides on the injection molding industry in each country.

Swiss molders processed an estimated 145,000 metric tons of polymer in 2012 compared to their counterparts in Austria, who accounted for an estimated 130,000 metric tons.

Neither country saw a big change in the number of injection molding sites. Switzerland experienced a drop of 2 percent while Austria saw an increase of 3 percent.

However, some molders are still looking to increase profitability and reduce costs by consolidating molding operations, either by merging production sites or by re-locating to countries with lower labor costs such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, according to Bristol-based AMI.