Mechanical engineering weaker than expected
Only two percent growth in production
In 2018, the German mechanical engineering industry produced 3% less than forecast by the VDMA. This was due to capacity bottlenecks. Despite the worsening economic outlook, the VDMA is sticking to its forecast of 2% growth for 2019.
According to preliminary calculations by the Federal Statistical Office, mechanical engineering production in Germany rose by 2% in 2018, although the VDMA had forecast growth of 5%. The two final months proved to be unexpectedly weak, with production falling by 8% in December compared to the same month in the previous year. This was due to capacity bottlenecks.
In October, 28% of machine manufacturers reported a shortage of materials, 27% of companies reported a shortage of labor and 10% reported bottlenecks in their own machinery. An order backlog of 8.5 production months indicates that many orders from 2018 will only be produced in the current year. The VDMA is therefore sticking to its forecast of 2% growth for 2019, even though the economic outlook has deteriorated since September 2018.
You might also be interested in
Maschinenbau bleibt robust in schwierigem Umfeld
Die Maschinenbauer in Deutschland haben den handelspolitischen Stürmen im Jahr 2018 erfolgreich getrotzt und trotz vieler Verunsicherungen ihre Belegschaften sogar vergrößert.
read more...Bundesnetzagentur vergibt lokale Frequenzen
5G: Schlüssel für wettbewerbsfähige digitale Infrastruktur
Die Industrie in Deutschland ist auf eine leistungsfähige digitale Infrastruktur angewiesen. Daher begrüßt der VDMA die Entscheidung der Bundesnetzagentur, für industrielle Anwendungen die lokalen Frequenzen im Bereich 3,7 bis 3,8 Gigahertz zur...
read more...Why stator and rotor laminations are becoming a performance factor
Why the future of robotics depends not only on software, but also on high-precision stator and rotor laminations inside the motor.
read more...Mechanical engineering | Case study
Cordless in brush production
The machine manufacturer Wöhler Bohemia is integrating wireless HMI panels from Keba into its brush production systems. The background to this is the need for flexibility, robotics integration and new market strategies.
read more...A century and a half of international mechanical and plant engineering
Amandus Kahl celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. The article highlights the company's development from a Hamburg-based craft business to an internationally active manufacturer of machines, process technology and complete production systems for...
read more...The bottom of the valley is no place to linger
Where the precision tool industry stands now
At the press conference of the VDMA Precision Tools Association, the precision tools industry presents the annual balance sheet for 2025: production decline, export development, shortage of raw materials and outlook for 2026.
read more...Ziehl-Abegg reaches 1 billion euros in sales for the first time
Ziehl-Abegg SE achieves sales of over one billion euros for the first time. A record year between growth, headwinds and strategy.
read more...Structural change in the industry
Turnover from services reaches 166 billion euros
German industry is changing from a pure producer to a service provider: companies are increasingly focusing on product-related services such as consulting, assembly and maintenance. According to the ifo Institute, they generated more revenue in 2024...
read more...Brückner takes over the Hennecke Group
With the acquisition of the Hennecke Group, the Brückner Group is expanding its technology portfolio to include key competencies in polyurethane processing. The transaction is expected to be completed at the beginning of January.
read more...