In focus: The topics of VDMA Baden Wurttemberg
Sentiment among companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector in Baden-Württemberg remains low
After the very weak economy in 2024, hopes are pinned on markets picking up in 2025 / Politicians must set business-friendly framework conditions
The mechanical and plant engineering industry in Baden-Württemberg is facing a number of pressing challenges.
Order situation is lukewarm, investment plans are at a standstill. USA continues to be the driving force, while China disappoints.
The global business situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains mixed. While India and Brazil are impressing with good figures, China is struggling with structural challenges. The USA is characterized by the latest tariff policy.
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The mechanical engineering sector started the year with a subdued export result. March at least showed a slight upward trend. However, the weaknesses in the Chinese and EU markets remain serious.
In March, incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector rose by 15% in real terms compared to the weak previous year's figure. Domestic orders rose by 30% and orders from abroad by 12%.
Incoming orders and sales in the process engineering sector develop negatively in March Incoming orders: slightly down / turnover: very clearly down on the same month last year.
In April 2025, 329 new firefighting vehicles were registered in Germany.
The first quarter of 2025 resulted in an overall increase in orders of 4% - the first positive quarterly balance of orders in three years. March also closed with a pleasing increase in orders of 4%.
In our quarterly report, we provide you with information on India's macroeconomic development, as well as detailed information on the manufacturing industry and individual sectors with a particular focus on machinery and equipment.
The VDMA reports a decline in production in the food processing and packaging machinery sector of just under 2% to EUR 16.1 billion, while exports grew by 6% to EUR 10.6 billion.
Start of successful association networking. Despite difficult circumstances, bauma 2025 attracts its first visitors from Ukraine - in search of strong German partners in mechanical engineering.
The global food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic growth sectors. Plastic dominates sales of retail packaging for food and beverages.
Spain increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.1% in 2024. Companies exported machines worth 77 million euros.
We provide a download from Euler Hermes on the new possibilities of Hermes Cover. The file contains important details on company-related support.
Italy increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.8% in 2024. Companies achieved a record level of 182 million euros in foreign trade.
In March 2025, 282 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.
In February, incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector fell by 11% in real terms compared to the previous year. Domestic orders rose by 3%, while orders from abroad fell by 13%.
Global demand for packaged food, beverages, liquid food, pharmaceutical products and other non-food products will continue to rise in the coming years. The packaging machinery industry is benefiting from these developments.
Sentiment in the mechanical engineering sector improved somewhat at the start of 2025, but remains very mixed. A majority of companies do not expect slight growth again until 2026.
After a strong start to the year, industrial valves manufacturers' sales fell slightly in March as a result of declining foreign demand. Domestic sales, on the other hand, increased slightly.
After a good previous month, business for German building fittings manufacturers remained on an expansion course in March. Sales climbed again both in Germany and abroad.
EU machinery and equipment manufacturing companies currently rate their competitive position as worse than the long-term average. This is particularly true to companies based in Germany.
India's Interim Union Budget for 2024 projects a reduction in the revised fiscal deficit and a decline in inflation. These key economic indicators signal a promising future for the Indian economy, even amidst global economic uncertainties.
In February, order books in the mechanical engineering sector filled up unexpectedly strongly by 8% in real terms. Part of this growth was due to large-scale plant business and part to component business.
The economic situation for the mining industry as a whole remains stable at a good level.
The future prospects of the supplier industry for the meat and protein sector are positive, as the global food industry is developing dynamically. Germany is on its way to becoming the leading market for meat substitute products.
No recovery at the start of the year - order intake continues to decline, sales develop positively.
Information on production volume, employment development and foreign trade data, as of March 2025
The machinery and equipment industry in Europe can hold its own in the face of increasingly tough global competition - if the promised relief comes and companies push ahead with their transformation.
Incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector fell by 3% in real terms in January compared to the previous year. There were different developments in the sub-sectors.
In 2024, price-adjusted production output in the EU mechanical and plant engineering sector contracted by 7 percent compared to the previous year.
Monthly tracking of the market development of valve-relevant raw materials with a focus on non-ferrous metals
Here you can download our digital press kit and the press kit of our cooperation partner, the Fraunhofer IVV.
In February 2025, 243 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.
Last year, agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers in Germany recorded a noticeable double-digit decline in sales.
As an important service, VDMA Armaturen offers member companies regular updates on key industry facts relating to the building and industrial valves industry.
Manufacturers of industrial valves are facing new challenges in 2025. So far, foreign business has provided positive impetus, but now empty order books and uncertain forecasts are dampening the mood.
Turnover in the building valves industry will stagnate in 2024, and foreign business will also remain weak. A slight recovery is expected in 2025. But above all, the industry needs better location conditions.
The right conditions are crucial for renewed growth. bauma 2025, the world's leading trade fair for the sector, will provide the impetus.
Current forecasts, key figures and background information on agricultural framework conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.
Despite strong international business in December - the year 2024 closes with a minus, as feared
The mechanical engineering sector is feeling the effects of the recession - yet companies only reduced their workforce by just under 1% in 2024. Even now, the core workforce is to be retained as much as possible.
In January 2025, 201 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.
The overall result for orders in 2024 in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is disappointing. The wait for a turnaround continues. Better framework conditions in Germany are an important aspect of this.
The mood in the mechanical engineering sector remains tense, with one in three companies rating their own situation as poor. Business prospects are a small ray of hope - but reforms are urgently needed.
After stagnating at a level of between 400 and 500 million euros in the last decade, German mechanical engineering exports to Kazakhstan have almost doubled to 900 million euros in 2023.
Stagnation at a low level: The September phenomenon did not bring the hoped-for turnaround.
Monthly tracking of the market development of raw materials relevant to valves with a focus on steel and cast iron.
After a ten-year growth period, German manufacturers of machinery for processing meat and alternative proteins were unable to record renewed growth in 2024.
The VDMA economic survey for the 4th quarter of 2024 has been sent out a few days ago and will run until January 17th. The results will be available to all participating companies at the end of January.
In December 2024, 317 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.
A small ray of hope in orders from eurozone countries in November does not change the overall weather situation: orders in the mechanical engineering sector are not gaining momentum.
Even though incoming orders increased slightly in the first quarter of the year, forecasts for the mechanical engineering sectors remain cautious. The uncertainty is too great - especially with regard to the USA's customs policy.
7th edition of bauma Conexpo India offers a strong platform. VDMA members remain confident about the Indian market and export opportunities from Indian production.
The European construction industry continues to suffer from high interest rates, material prices and reluctance to invest. The recovery in residential construction will not become a reality until 2026. However, this does not apply to Germany.
VDMA member companies see the US market as an opportunity and are cautiously optimistic about the coming years. Many are building on good or even very good competitiveness, but this must be defended.
Production conditions in Germany were the main topic of discussion at the Executive Board meeting on 21 November 2024 at Zollverein colliery.
In October 2024, orders in the process engineering sector were significantly lower than in the previous year. Turnover, on the other hand, exceeded the previous year's figure.
Heavy seas and no calm in sight: the mechanical engineering industry expects a decline in production and a slight reduction in jobs in 2025. A political turnaround is needed to strengthen the industry.
Annual meeting of suppliers to construction, agricultural and material handling equipment took place in difficult economic scenario. “China Going Global” focus dealt with competitive challenges.
In November 2024, 304 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.
The economic data from China offers little cause for optimism: domestic consumption is growing slowly. The economic recovery is taking longer than expected. In the real estate sector, there is no hope of a short-term recovery in prices.
Order books in the mechanical engineering sector remain weak, with 9% fewer orders booked in October than in the previous year. Customers remain hesitant to make new investments
The valve industry is looking back on a challenging year ahead of the VALVE WORLD EXPO 2024. As a driving force for innovations and trending topics, the trade fair can set the course for future growth.
Current forecasts, key figures and background information on general agricultural conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.
A weak global economy and many structural problems at home are weighing on the export business in the mechanical engineering sector. Exports fell by a good 5 percent in the first nine months.
Industry expects a 16% drop in sales; companies must implement the Cyber Resilience Act; VDMA's Manufacturing-X report
Again and again in September: very significant swings - resulting from large-scale plant business - have had an impact on the year-to-date order intake and turnover in the process engineering sector.
310 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany in October 2024.
The order situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains weak, particularly in Germany. However, companies are also still waiting for new investment momentum in global business.
On October 28, the Russian central bank raised the key interest rate to 21 percent. At the same time, it indicated that the interest rate could soon rise even higher. The reasons are high inflation and the overheated economy.
Regional harvest forecasts can be a decisive guideline for agricultural machinery sales. After all, satellite data makes it possible to calculate very precise forecasts - even weeks before the harvest.
The situation remains tense, even though incoming orders increased in August compared to the (weak) same month last year. However, turnover fell by the same amount compared to August 2023.
The poor mood in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is also reflected in the VDMA economic survey for the materials handling and intralogistics sector.
In September 2024, 236 new fire department vehicles were registered in Germany.
According to the latest VDMA survey, the mood and prospects in the mechanical engineering sector have deteriorated noticeably. This makes it all the more urgent for politicians to finally set the course for new growth.
At the meeting of the construction equipment section during the 2024 general assembly, members took a detailed look at the economic situation.
Incoming orders down 16 percent year-on-year from January to August | Improvement expected by the end of year
In August, incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector increased by 7% compared to the previous year. However, the upward outlier is not yet a trend reversal; special factors were responsible for the result.
The following summarizes the discussions with VDMA members' branches in Turkey and with Turkish mechanical engineering companies as well as the second meeting of VDMA members in Istanbul.
The German food machinery and packaging machinery industry increased its exports by 4 percent in the first half of 2024. In 2023, exports rose by 9 percent to 9.9 billion euros - a new record.
Weak global trade and a lack of investment will result in an 8% drop in mechanical engineering production in 2024. A trend reversal will probably not set in until 2025.
The situation remains critical: in July, orders in the Process Engineering sector were once again significantly lower than in the same month last year. Turnover increased slightly compared to June 2023.
For the first time in months, orders only fell in single digits in July. However, this does not yet mean a turnaround; there is a lack of impetus for new investments worldwide.
Despite a decline in domestic business, the Industry was able to record an increase in sales of 5 per cent in the first half of the year. A similar level of growth is also expected for the total year. Nevertheless, the outlook remains cautious.
Things are starting to get dramatic: in June, orders in the Process Engineering sector were also significantly lower than in the same month last year. Turnover also fell sharply compared to June 2023.
In July 2024, 306 new fire department vehicles were registered in Germany.
The industry's key figures at a glance.
There are no signs of a turnaround in incoming orders. Orders fell significantly in June and also with a view to the first half of 2024. Germany and the euro countries in particular are weakening.
High uncertainty weighs on demand for capital goods.
The Fluid Power Association represents almost 240 member companies with a total turnover of 8.5 billion euros and almost 40,000 employees. The export ratio is over 60 % on average.
That hurts: in May, orders in the process engineering sector were also significantly lower than in the same month last year. Only the increase in turnover compared to May 2023 is positive.
The mood in the mechanical engineering sector has deteriorated, even with a view to the year as a whole. According to the VDMA economic survey, investments will not increase again until 2025.
China's textile and clothing exports show slight growth. Weak economy weighs on textile machinery manufacturers.
In May, orders in the mechanical engineering sector were 27% below the previous year's figure in real terms. A large part of the decline can be attributed to a base effect, but the result also reflects a continuing weakness in investment.
This year's summer Executive Board Meeting took place on 29 May at the invitation of Maschinenfabrik Köppern GmbH & Co. KG. One of the items on the agenda was the renaming of the trade association to Mining & Minerals.
In 2023, the production of food processing and packaging machinery increased by 5% to 16.5 billion euros. This means that the fifth-largest mechanical engineering sector exceeded the 16 billion euro mark for the first time and reached a record level.
In 2023, German manufacturers of packaging machinery achieved nominal export growth of 10.1% and reached a record value of 6.3 billion euros. Exports also increased in the 1st quarter of 2024.
Similar picture to March: Order intake and sales in the process engineering sector developed differently in April. Incoming orders down significantly, sales up compared to the same month last year.
The Oil Hydraulics Market Investigation Working Group meets twice a year. The participants find out about the economic situation in mechanical engineering and fluid power in particular and discuss current trends in mechanical engineering.
In this compilation of GTAI articles from 2024 on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life science and pharmaceutical sectors, you will find the markets and articles in chronological order.
For several years now, we have been producing monthly data sheets on various sectors, categories and countries based on data from Euromonitor International. We publish the latest editions via the monthly newsletter NuV-Telegram.
Centralized survey will kick off after Easter holidays. Participation enables benchmarking against the mechanical engineering sector and will allow for a sub-sector view.
In the past financial year 2023, the agricultural machinery industry grew once again in Germany as a production location.
In January 2024, incoming orders for the process engineering sector were down on the same month of the previous year, while sales recorded a very significant increase.
For the month of December 2023, the process engineering sector recorded an increase in incoming orders and a sharp drop in turnover compared to the same month of the previous year.
In this member information of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association you will find an overview of the services offered by the VDMA in the area of markets and economy.
In this compilation of GTAI articles from 2023 on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life science and pharmaceutical sectors, you will find the markets and articles in chronological order.
Current forecasts, key figures and background information on agricultural conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.
The economic reports for 2024 on important foreign markets in the food and packaging industry, compiled exclusively for the VDMA by gtai, are now available in German and English.
On a monthly basis, our economic update gives a brief overview of the ecomomic situation of the construction equipment industry, e.g. order income, turnover, business climate and trade figures.
The publication provides an overview of CECE's activities. It shows the topics with which the CECE is involved at European and international level.
The Japan Construction Report is provided by the VDMA team in Tokyo. It contains news of the construction, glass and ceramics industry of Japan and is published monthly in German. The most recent report can be downloaded from this website.
Recent market information from the Indian construction and construction equipment industry are summarized in the bi-monthly report made by the VDMA team in Kolkata. The latest issue may be downloaded from this website.
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