Level 1 Header Business Strategien

Management & Business Strategies
The digital world is changing the rules of the market and confronts mechanical and plant engineering with the task of actively shaping the dynamic change. Business Strategies helps - with information on all business issues, current management trends, and by providing support in day-to-day operations and strategic planning.

Themenfeldgrafik Management und Business Strategien

From our content

From our content
Make assembly on the construction site 30 percent more efficient!

Efficient assembly and significantly minimized project risks: is this just wishful thinking? No! Standardized, digitalized processes help your company to achieve exactly that!

Data economy in mechanical and plant engineering

At the 23rd Financing Day of the mechanical and plant engineering industry in NRW, VDMA NRW focused on the data economy and corporate financing in challenging times.

News from labor market policy and employment law

Current developments in labor law and new laws pose challenges for the mechanical and plant engineering industry - an overview of decisions and legal adjustments that are relevant in practice.

VDMA Excel calculation for forecasting life cycle costs

After more than 15 years, the model for calculating life cycle costs (LCC) is fully established on the market and enables companies to make "Made in Germany" assessable in monetary terms.

Revision of ISO 9001

The revision of ISO 9001 (2015 edition) has stalled. Publication is not expected until the end of 2026.

Cost development 2025

VDMA assessment of cost development and cost trends in 2025.

Lean management with plant tour at Koenig & Bauer (AT)

On October 16, 2024, 30 lean management experts met for the VDMA Austria's fourth lean experience exchange in Maria Enzersdorf, Lower Austria, at Koenig & Bauer (AT), the world market leader for banknote printing presses.

Working Capital Management Data Sheet

Working capital management is of particular importance when focusing on liquidity. Here you will find the updated data for the guide.

Facts and figures: Research and innovation

In our theme publication you will find facts and figures on research and development, innovations and patents in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

Inter-company comparison or benchmarking after all

The workshop of the working group has set itself the goal of examining and proposing a system of key performance indicators broken down by company divisions.

Candidate experience and low-threshold application processes

Professional and personalised application management still has plenty of room for improvement in many cases. Low-threshold application processes (such as via WhatsApp) are an interesting new development.

Facts and figures: Education and workforce in mechanical engineering

In our theme publications, you will find facts, figures and data related to vocational training, engineering courses, skilled workers, mechanical engineers and women in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

Pay-per-use & equipment-as-a-service

New opportunities in sales and service for machine manufacturers, flexibility and financial stability for their customers - these are the advantages of value-oriented business models such as pay-per-use and equipment-as-a-service.

New trends: Special edition VDMA Future Business Trend Radar 2024

Strategic compass for the future: The special edition of the trend radar contains around 40 new topics that will play a decisive role in the future of mechanical and plant engineering.

New regulation: many companies need to act now

The Ecodesign Regulation for sustainable products has direct and indirect consequences for mechanical and plant engineering. Companies need to have certain data ready today - and therefore definitely need to deal with the Digital Product Passport!

Posting to Great Britain: Everything you need to know!

On December 3, 2024 from 10 to 11 a.m. CET, the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK) and the VDMA will hold a web event to provide information on the current entry regulations for work assignments in the United Kingdom.

Exploiting sourcing opportunities in the Western Balkans

The Western Balkans is a procurement market on our doorstep. Metal, wood and plastics processing as well as the textile industry and IT offer opportunities for nearshoring.

Downward trend

Global machinery turnover is expected to fall by 2 percent in real terms in 2024. In 2025, a small growth of 1 percent could be achieved.

Become a co-exhibitor on the NRW stand at the Hannover Messe!

The state of NRW is organizing a joint stand at Hannover Messe 2025, which will take place in Hanover from March 31 to April 4, 2025. Interested parties are welcome to register for participation.

Accounting key figures are updated

The VDMA accounting benchmarks in the inter-company comparison will be updated. Participating companies benefit from the meaningful exclusive evaluations.

Reporting obligations for work assignments in the EU

The different reporting obligations in the EU member states present companies with considerable bureaucratic challenges when it comes to work assignments. How can companies deal with this?

This is where you will find the career pages of our member companies

Have you found a job ad that interests you?

Statement on building type E: Demands on politicians

In view of the ongoing housing crisis, the VDMA Building Technology Forum supports all efforts to create affordable housing and promote refurbishment work.

VDMA Control Technology Working Group

Current topics: Environmental Requirements & Sustainability in Automation Technology | Market Study in Mechanical Engineering | New Directives & Regulations MV, UKCA, RED, EU Data Act, AI Act, NIS2, CRA

Production in mechanical engineering weaker than expected in 2024

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.

FAQ list for dealing with the requirements on climate change

Since the beginning of the year, companies with a certified management system have had to ask themselves what impact their management system has on climate change.

Retaining employees remains important - current topics

A well-retained, motivated and productive workforce also strengthens the company's image. It helps to avoid high fluctuation costs and secures expertise.

Textile waste to be used for further value creation

From January 1, 2025, the separate collection of textile waste will be mandatory in the EU. The extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles will make manufacturers responsible for the waste generated by their products.

Strong foreign business ensures growth in industrial valves

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.

Validation - an important step on the safe side!

It is the final step in the safe commissioning of machines: the validation of safety functions. Not worth the effort? Yes, it is! You provide your customer with clear proof of safety, user-friendliness and cost efficiency!

European Partnership "Textiles of the Future"

"Textiles of the Future" will be one of nine priorities in the EU Framework Programme for Research & Innovation "Horizon" from 2025 to 2027 - implemented as a "European co-programmed partnership".

AI in marketing does not work without real intelligence

Hardly any innovation topic is currently being discussed more intensively than AI - especially in the context of marketing.

How do you develop sustainable products?

The results report of the "Managing Sustainable Innovations" project provides a compact overview of the framework conditions and approaches that can be used to create more sustainable products.

VDMA Research and Innovation: New tasks, new management

VDMA bundles its activities in the area of "Research and Innovation" and establishes a new joint office. Research and innovation processes can thus be further optimized. Dr. Eric Maiser and Martin Nitsche take over from Dietmar Goericke.

Position paper: Textile machinery for a sustainable textile industry

In a position paper, the companies comment on the ambitious EU guidelines and their national implementation for a sustainable and circular textile industry.

Introduction and overview of quantum technologies

This article lists introductory and overview materials on quantum technologies. It contains introductions to the technologies, information on the market situation in Germany and abroad as well as strategy papers.

Textile machinery for a sustainable textile industry

VDMA companies are partners for sustainable production. They promote a circular economy with efficient processes and binding rules and call for Germany and the EU to be strengthened as locations for innovation and competitiveness.

Service technician - References for the job advertisement

Job adverts are the first point of contact with potential applicants. What you should pay particular attention to with service technicians.

Slump continues

Global machinery turnover will stagnate in 2024 for the second year in a row on a price-adjusted basis. The forecast data is very mixed at country level.

Certificate courses for mechanical and plant engineering

From product and project management to construction site and service management to contract and purchasing management: the certificate courses offered by the Mechanical Engineering Institute will help you advance your career as a specialist and manager!

Starting salaries in SMEs: solutions from the field

What solutions do SMEs find to deal with the high salary expectations of young professionals? Practical report from a VDMA Erfa.

Designing construction site contracts economically and customer-oriented

Ensure the success of your construction site projects with clear service descriptions. In this executive workshop, our Certified International Senior Project Manager Ralf von Breitenbach will show you how to do this.

Technology and knowledge transfer with innovation2business.nrw

The innvotion2business.nrw project, funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, helps companies to identify suitable technologies and cooperation partners.

EU ecodesign requirements for textiles in preparation

Following the adoption of the new Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, preparations are underway to define sector-specific requirements for textiles in a delegated act.

Digital Employer Branding

How do employers become successful brands? Why is a strong employer brand important for attracting - and retaining - skilled workers?

VDMA Sales Conference

Come to Mainz on November 5, 2024 and find out how you can reach your target groups even better and increase your sales success through innovative sales platforms and the integration of analog and digital sales.

Digital product passport: IT solutions for the textile industry

100 experts met on 28.06.2024 at the VDMA Summit on "Digital Product Passport: IT solutions for the textile industry". Organized by the Textile Machinery Association with Global Textile Scheme.

Securing skilled workers through continuing vocational training

The shortage of skilled workers is becoming increasingly urgent. In-company further training and qualification of the company's own workforce can be decisive building blocks in keeping a company competitive.

Transfer prices

Basics, design and documentation: With the "Transfer Pricing" seminar series, the Maschinenbau-Institut offers you practical tools to successfully complete your transfer pricing project.

4-day week despite skills shortage? How to solve the challenge

Companies must ensure that they complete orders on time. At the same time, employees want variable and sometimes shorter working hours. With flexible workforce scheduling, you can meet both requirements!

Important questions on this topic

Our expert and focus topics

Our expert and focus topics
Benchmarking
Benchmarking is an instrument of controlling and corporate management for the analysis of processes, corporate success and developments.
Intercompany comparisons
The business management tool for performance optimization and measurement from a neutral partner. A diverse and participative VDMA system at a glance.
Business Development
The permanent establishment is a tax fiction that can quickly become complex in its handling. Despite the fact that it is not legally independent, it triggers registration and tax declaration obligations in the source country, for example. The various information is intended to provide a practical, clear introduction to this complex topic.
Finance & Controlling
Globalization, digital transformation and the associated dynamics have substantial effects on Finance and Controlling. To ensure that the sector can continue to set the pace for value-added innovation in the future, new processes and competencies are required that enable secure, data-driven decisions based on resilient analyses and real-time forecasts.
Risk Management
Risk management does not mean ruling out risks from the outset, but weighing up and factoring in possible disruptions. In doing so, the entire company with all its departments and areas must be taken into account in order to identify and eliminate risks that could jeopardize the company's existence at an early stage.
Production
In manufacturing and assembly outstanding machines and plants become reality. This is where information and material flow together, not always according to plan. However it is important to meet the high demands in terms of quality, time and costs every day.
Climate-Neutral Production
Companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector must also set out on the path to climate neutrality. The VDMA's "Climate-neutral production" initiative provides support.
Lean Management
All companies solve problems for their customers every day. The tasks are often familiar, but they are also often new. Lean management is an approach that has been tried and tested for decades and can also be used by machine and plant manufacturers to make themselves fit for a successful future.
Engineering
Product development is where most of the course for a company's success is set. You will find valuable impulses for the complex requirements on these pages.
Quality Management
The quality of products and services is an essential basis for success in the German mechanical and plant engineering industry. Every company, whether certified to ISO 9001:2015 or not, has a functioning quality management system. However, there are major differences in its effectiveness.
Purchasing and Materials Management
On average, material costs in the mechanical and plant engineering sector account for about 50 per cent of the company's total costs. At the same time, the trouble-free supply of materials is an indispensable prerequisite for functioning production and thus for the timely fulfilment of orders.
Marketing
Marketing Communication is nowadays a part of the sales process. It´s not reduced on graphical outcome an should qualify permanently Leads. How you can proceed on this, is explained on the following page.
Service / After Sales Services
At around 20 percent, service is one of the biggest revenue generators in the mechanical engineering sector and makes a significant contribution to overall earnings. In times of crisis, it sustainably supports the company.
Human Resources Management
Human resources management in companies has received a significant upgrade since the early 1990s. The ability to stand out in the market depends not least on the qualified people in the company.
Organization and Culture
Both organisation and culture are what make up the company "inside". Both have far-reaching effects on the outside, on customers and their needs and on other external partners. Thus, both are a question of successful cooperation inside and outside.
Personnel Marketing & Recruitment
The shortage of skilled workers has arrived in the present. The labour market has turned and companies are receiving a decreasing number of applications. Demography, digitalisation, democratisation and decentralisation pose major challenges for the economy. Personnel recruitment must now take new paths.
Future Business
Trendscouting - Foresight - Startups: We are tracking the future of mechanical engineering. Well structured and across all sectors within VDMA, in the almost infinite variety of complex topics for the next 10-15 years. Our goal: to identify trends and disruptions relevant to machine makers at an early stage and make them usable, to point out new business opportunities and to build networks.
Competitiveness for Europe and Germany
The VDMA is calling for good framework conditions for the mechanical engineering industry to ensure competitiveness. Technological sovereignty and European cooperation are crucial for innovation and independence.

Level 1 Themenwolke

Podigee

Podigee

To the point

To the point

Auf den Punkt Zitat Business Strategies

"Measurability in product management - oha, very difficult.... Nice that there is now the guide and a super overview of KPIs in product management."

Bianca Illner, Managing Director Business Advisory

Auf den Punkt Zahl Business Strategies

4

Future scenarios

The "Future Services 2035" study paints four pictures of the future, showing the different development paths that services can take for mechanical and plant engineering in the next decade.

Source: VDMA Study Future Services 2035

Auf den Punkt Zusammenfassung Business Strategien

Summary
Digital spare parts management: success factors from practice
  • A well-organized and efficient spare parts management
  • Establishment of a dealer network for better supply of spare parts
  • Standardization and automation of services

VdmaSambaEvents

Events

Mon. 17.03.25 Tue. 18.03.25

  • Europe

#VDMASummit - 2nd VDMA European Summit

Bright ideas for innovation, digital transformation and attracting talents

Places available

Our services

Our services
Job description made easy
Job description, classification, career and competencies made easy - access HR Online Manager for 4 weeks free of charge.

exclusive

VDMA Excel calculation for forecasting life cycle costs
Life cycle costing (LCC) is very much in vogue, because it allows us to assess the value of "Made in Germany" in monetary terms. For this reason, more and more mechanical engineering customers are inquiring with their suppliers about the follow-up costs of their investment.
Checklist Safety for Service Missions during the Pandemic
Our checklist will help you increase the safety of service staff during urgently needed field work assignments. It provides references to useful sources of information and offers a basis for WEB experience exchanges among VDMA divisions.
Fitness check - where does your company stand compared to the best in the industry?
Do you know how well your company compares to the best in the industry? Find out: on our "Fitness Checks" platform, you can use the online assessment tool to measure and compare your performance currently in the areas of service, quality management and innovation & quality using topic-specific success criteria.
Incoterms 2020
In September 2019, the new Incoterms 2020 were published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The 11 trade clauses govern the transfer of risks and costs in sales contracts.
Investment calculator 4.0
The model-based online tool "Investment Calculator 4.0" and the accompanying guide offer you valuable support in the economic evaluation of digitization projects.
Salary survey
The VDMA salary study shows what engineers and IT specialists earn in a medium-sized company and provides, among other things, approaches for company-specific salary benchmarking.

exclusive

Overview Liquidity Support
In challenging times, companies rely on sufficient liquidity. In our overview, we have compiled various instruments, programs and information for you.
Startup Radar Dashboard - Find startups for mechanical engineering online
Discover startup contacts and trends for mechanical engineering worldwide?! The new digital startup search platform helps to find suitable partners.
Peacoq trend radar platform - exploring trends for mechanical engineering online
The VDMA Future Business Trendradar has reached the next level: All content is now digital - making it more accessible for research, display and customization.

Ausschüsse

Committees

Ihr Kontakt

Vorteilskommunikation

Benefits for you as a member

Largest industry network in Europe

3,600 primarily medium-sized member companies in the capital goods industry make the VDMA the largest industrial association in Europe and the most important network organization in the industry.

Strong representation of interests

The VDMA is the most important voice of the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry. It represents the common economic, technical and scientific interests of the industry in Germany and around the world.

A wide range of services

More than 500 VDMA employees worldwide support you with practical services to make the right decisions in your company - along the entire value chain.