Incoming orders in mechanical and plant engineering January
VDMA: Orders from abroad spread hope
In the mechanical and plant engineering sector, incoming orders at the start of the year only just missed the previous year's result. The drop in orders in January amounted to minus 2 percent in real terms.
Once again, orders from abroad had a stabilizing effect. Orders from euro partner countries increased by 13%, while orders from non-euro countries fell by 5%. Overall, orders from abroad stagnated compared to the previous year. The volume of orders from Germany remained 6% below the previous year's result.
"Uncertainties in geopolitics and trade policy as well as the tense economic situation in numerous customer sectors continue to depress the mood for investment globally. However, a sideways movement appears to be confirmed in foreign business. And after a double-digit increase in orders from non-euro countries in December, it was the turn of orders from neighboring eurozone countries in January. In contrast, the decline in domestic business continues to cause concern," comments VDMA Chief Economist Dr. Ralph Wiechers.
In the less volatile, more meaningful three-month period from November 2024 to January 2025, companies recorded a decline in incoming orders of 2% in real terms compared to the previous year. Domestic business (minus 10 percent) recorded significant declines, while foreign business increased slightly (plus 1 percent). Eurozone countries ordered 5% more machinery and equipment during this period, while non-eurozone countries stagnated.
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