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Developing resilience
In rough seas, it is important to react flexibly, adapt structures and bring the right innovations on board. Business risks must be covered. Individual measures and solutions for individual companies are just as much a focus as general insurance solutions.
Knowledge of relevant regulations and laws also helps with risk management - from the EU Data Protection Regulation to transport risks, work assignments and technical regulations.
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Reduce risks
The USA is and remains a key market for the German and European mechanical engineering industry as the largest export region and investment location outside of Europe. But with the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, the world of trade has changed fundamentally.
Navigating this uncertain environment is difficult for all trading partners and all companies. The VDMA has set up a new task force to support its members in dealing with the many new problems resulting from the Trump tariffs.
Find out more via our USA info portal
In the globalized world of export-oriented mechanical and plant engineering, the legal protection of deliveries is of crucial importance. In order to help you optimize your supply relationships, we are organizing an online seminar in cooperation with a renowned law firm. This event offers you the opportunity to find out about contractual regulations to reduce the risk of non-payment.
Info page about the online event "Securing deliveries in mechanical and plant engineering"
Export control is sometimes underestimated, sometimes overestimated. We support and advise VDMA members in recognizing and complying with export restrictions and avoiding unnecessary expense.
The choice of Incoterms clause can help to minimize transport risks and ensure delivery capability even in times of crisis. Certain clauses strengthen resilience, while others can be problematic in uncertain times. Targeted strategies can be used to control cost risks, optimize delivery times and find flexible solutions for the international movement of goods.
Work assignments and business trips within Europe are subject to strict bureaucratic rules and are anything but trivial in terms of preparation and implementation. Reporting obligations, A1 certificates and the Posting of Workers Directive must be taken into account when planning.
Find out more on the expert page "Work assignments in Europe"
Easier access to data promotes the development of data ecosystems. At the same time, the new obligations present companies with major challenges - from a legal, technical and organizational/operational perspective. With the VDMA Quick Guide "Interoperable interface standards for successful compliance with the EU Data Regulation", the VDMA emphasizes the need for interoperable interface standards and shows how they can support the implementation of the EU Data Regulation as a solution tool.
To the VDMA Quick Guide "Interoperable interface standards for successful compliance with the EU Data Regulation"
A few years ago, the VDMA launched the "Unternehmen Cybersicherheit" initiative together with VSMA GmbH. The information portal offers tips, publications and free tools to help companies minimize cyber risks.
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) came into force on December 10, 2024. Its central aim is to improve the cyber security of products with digital components that can be connected to each other or to the internet and to define binding cyber security requirements. The VDMA FAQ provides initial, quick and non-binding guidance on this new EU regulation.
When the national law implementing NIS2 comes into force, mechanical engineering companies with 50 or more employees or an annual turnover and an annual balance sheet total of more than 10 million euros each will be subject to numerous new cyber security obligations.
Around 70 percent of all cyber incidents begin with a click on a phishing email. Regular training is therefore recommended. This can be implemented with the VDMA Cyber Awareness Service, which automatically trains employees with simulated spear phishing attacks and e-learning content.
Stay informed about the latest regulations in the areas of environment, sustainability and technology. Our regulatory overview offers you a compact compilation of the most important regulatory topics that are relevant for mechanical and plant engineering.
April 2025 saw a number of new developments in the ESG area, from "stop-the-clock" to EUDR guidelines. We provide a brief overview and comment on the statements on the LkSG in the coalition agreement.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has published a Quality Control Order (QCO) for machinery in the "Gazette of India". From August 28, 2025, the products mentioned therein will require a market access mark.
Organizational resilience
What does the term resilience mean for companies and what aspects does it cover?
Resilience is a very broad and deep subject area. Companies are affected on several levels and need different skills to be able to prepare for the unpredictable.
How do I introduce systematic risk management in the company?
Regardless of current circumstances, it should be a matter of course for companies of all sizes to deal with impending or unexpected situations. Whether it is the loss of a major customer, the insolvency of an important supplier or external events that disrupt operations - systematic preparation is important to ensure the survival of your own company. The legal basis for this can be found here.
Opportunity or risk - how to act quickly and safely
The best way to maximize data transparency in decision-critical situations is to systematically prepare relevant data from all areas of the company, as risk chains are made up of dominoes. You can find out how this can be done against the background of legal regulations here.
Everyone knows something different
Nobody has to fight alone, nobody has all-encompassing knowledge. That's why the VDMA always offers the opportunity to exchange ideas with other member companies on antitrust law. You can read about the networking formats offered by the VDMA here.
Introducing risk management - easier than you think
The best way to prepare is to implement an operational risk management system that covers all areas. This requires a comprehensive risk inventory in order to identify risk nests - regardless of the area - and then systematically document step by step what needs to happen if something does happen. The VDMA has described the specific steps required here in a guideline.
Risk management as a resilience factor
Selected relevant risk KPIs can be selected in order to make corporate security measurable and to identify changes in advance. The VDMA provides suggestions as to which are suitable for each area. Detailed key figures from the cost area are available to member companies here so that it can be recognized whether something is getting out of hand or is below/above the industry average.
Who ensures flexible, risk-conscious and strategic thinking and action within the company?
Achieving corporate resilience requires several factors: risk management and supply chain management, adaptability, employee commitment, the use of new technologies and a well-established crisis management system. To achieve all this, companies need managers and employees with specific skills.
Find out more about further training opportunities at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering
How can companies really benefit from lean thinking and be successful in the long term?
Lean management is anything but new and in too many cases has not produced the desired results in companies in the long term. Compass Lean Management shows why this is the case, why lean is anything but old hat and how it can help companies of all sizes to create better value.
Why is it hardly beneficial to train as many employees as possible in new management tools?
Tools can be very helpful in solving problems. But just having the tool in your hand doesn't help - which is particularly evident in organizational development and process improvement.
Which management tactics are promising in times of crisis?
As long as there is "good visibility" from the top of the company and no uncertainty, clear guidelines from there provide good orientation. But when the surprises increase and the solutions to new problems become more complex, often only a long leash for self-organized teams can help.
Why is a transparent flow of information important?
Information is the lifeblood of a company. Only if it flows freely and is easy to find can all processes, including material and financial flows, function properly. It is therefore important not to hide any information.
What impact does neglecting quality aspects have in a crisis?
Find out what happens when a company's quality efforts are reduced during a crisis in order to cut costs. Unfortunately, the effect is delayed and leads to long-term problems.
Is there unrecognized potential in service?
In the past, service in mechanical and plant engineering was regarded as a downstream function. However, in times of economic uncertainty, it is becoming increasingly important. Targeted service strategies not only intensify customer loyalty, but also provide valuable information for the further development of machines.
Why should I participate in a cross-company sustainability network from a commercial perspective?
Customer requirements and their implementation are no longer defined solely within a company, but must be developed in a joint value chain with cross-company teams in order to be able to participate commercially later on.
Benchmarking
What benchmarks are available from the VDMA and how can I use them?
The art of corporate management lies in identifying the decisive business parameters for corporate management and developing an effective and economical set of tools in controlling. An assessment of your own figures in comparison to industry averages provides information on whether your own figures are average or even above average in a company comparison.
How do I analyze the service organization?
In mechanical and plant engineering, a comprehensive analysis of your own service offering is of crucial importance. This allows potential to be identified and utilized for the entire company.
Hedging risks
As a 100% subsidiary of the VDMA, VSMA GmbH offers comprehensive advice on risk and insurance issues. For VDMA members, the review of their insurance concept and the assessment of individual optimization potential is free of charge.
Assessments of the development of the industrial insurance market are essential for the efficient hedging of risks. With the Insurance Market Forecast 2025, VSMA GmbH is now presenting a strategically important guide for machinery and plant manufacturers.
As a service subsidiary of the VDMA and specialist broker for mechanical and plant engineering, VSMA GmbH is continuously developing its own insurance solutions and already offers nine special industry insurance policies.
The German Insurance Association (GDV) recommends excluding all damage attributable to PFAS from insurance cover in future. From VSMA GmbH's point of view, this is a fatal signal.
If you want to fully insure against storm risks, a natural hazard policy alone does not provide sufficient protection, as it does not cover some risks. The VDMA all-risk policy offers more comprehensive cover.
Geopolitical instability is putting a strain on marine insurance - insurers' underwriting policies are becoming increasingly restrictive. Well thought-out risk management is therefore becoming increasingly important. VSMA GmbH supports VDMA member companies in developing an individual risk management concept for their company.
The growing climate risks require a reorientation of risk management. VSMA GmbH therefore addresses this topic in its Insurance Market Forecast 2025 and also presents the new VSMA Climate Scenario Analysis, which is offered jointly with the risk engineers of Zurich Resilience Solutions.
Many companies are currently planning to install a photovoltaic system. Special photovoltaic insurance is recommended to cover the high investments involved.
Despite the stabilization of supply chains, business interruptions remain a major threat. Property business interruption insurance (PBI insurance) is therefore essential for mechanical engineering companies in order to minimize economic risks. There are some important aspects to consider when designing a business interruption insurance policy.
Automated solutions from manufacturers such as AutoStore play an important role in the industry. While the systems offer many benefits, they also bring new risks.
Product defects and recalls can cause immense costs. As part of forward-looking risk management, it should therefore be carefully examined to what extent targeted recall cost cover is a sensible addition to the insurance cover.
Events
In our virtual event, you will receive an overview and practical examples of the possibilities for cost optimisation in purchasing, such as the recovery of price demands, cost engineering or inventory optimisation.
What do you currently have to be prepared for in the areas of customs and export control?
NIS2 and the NIS2UmsuCG
Sustainability Talk: The VDMA's web series on sustainability
The controlling department is constantly faced with new challenges and under pressure to adapt to new circumstances.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 came into force on February 11, 2025. It forms the updated framework for packaging and packaging waste in the EU and applies equally to all EU Member States. From 12. August 2026, the provisions of the PPWR are mandatory, although the date of application of individual articles varies and the associated obligations will take effect at a later date. From this date, the PPWR will replace the previous Packaging Directive 94/62/EC.
The carbon border adjustment mechanism "CBAM" will enter its regular phase in 2026
The agenda will follow shortly.
Please make a note of the date today. As soon as the agenda has been finalized and the invitation has been sent out, you can register for the event. If you would like to receive the agenda directly by e-mail and thus be informed via the registration function, please ask Ms. Struck to add you to the invitation mailing list.
"Generational change in leadership - leadership skills for the future" - online on 27.6.2025
We cordially invite you to our online event on 05.06.2025
Customs clearance news: What's new in the customs area, USA, CO² compensation tax (CBAM), third countries, new commodity codes 2025, etc.
What's new in the area of export control? What do you currently have to prepare for in practice? The annual regional exchange of experience, which is also open to interested parties from outside the region who are unable to attend the event in their region.
To what extent is the export-oriented mechanical engineering industry in Germany and Europe affected by the current US tariff policy? How do VDMA members assess their business prospects in the USA and what are the consequences for them? Discuss the fresh results of the VDMA flash survey on the USA (May 20-23) with VDMA Chief Economist Dr. Johannes Gernandt and Andrew Adair, Consultant North America, VDMA Foreign Trade! Event language: German, online via Microsoft Teams Monday, May 26 from 2:00 - 2:45 p.m
Dive deeper into the complex aspects of origin of goods and preferences. This advanced web event is aimed at professionals who already have basic knowledge and want to expand their expertise. Learn more about the latest regulations, practical applications and benefit from valuable tips from our experts. Discuss current challenges and exchange ideas with other participants.
What do you currently have to be prepared for in the areas of customs and export control?
What does the new EU packaging regulation mean for the mechanical engineering industry? Basics and case studies
Change from a face-to-face event to a virtual meeting!!!
