Positive development in sensor and measurement technology

Compared to the first quarter of 2024, turnover rose by 4%. Incoming orders increased by 11% at the beginning of the year compared to the previous quarter. With an increase in turnover of 3% and a significant rise in incoming orders, the book-to-bill ratio for the first quarter was 1.08. This figure is an indicator of the order situation and describes the ratio of incoming orders to turnover in the same period.

Sensors and measurement technology thus showed a positive trend compared to the manufacturing industry as a whole. According to recent surveys by the ifo Institute, the business climate in the manufacturing industry as a whole remained subdued in the first quarter of 2025. Despite individual positive signals, reports of falling order backlogs and weak demand dominated. The sensor and measurement technology sector is therefore stable despite macroeconomic uncertainties at the start of the year.

Currently, 69% of AMA members export to North America and 18% of total sales are generated in the USA, Canada and Mexico. These figures demonstrate the international importance of the industry, but also cast a critical eye on the dependence on non-European markets. During this survey, the US administration announced that it would drastically increase its import tariffs on goods from the EU, regardless of the unpredictable consequences for the industry and the global economy. There is no telling how far the resulting trade barriers will weaken the markets. For this reason, the AMA Association is holding back on forecasts and expectations for the industry.

"The results of our latest survey show that sensor and measurement technology make an important contribution in almost all areas of our society, which makes them more resilient to crises," says Philipp Gutmann, Managing Director of the AMA Association. "Sensors are and will remain a central building block for innovation and digitalization in Germany and worldwide. At the same time, we are monitoring the political developments in the North American market with concern."