Compared to the first quarter of 2025, industry revenue rose by 12 percent. For the coming quarter, the companies surveyed expect revenue to grow by another 5 percent.

Positive Industry Performance in the First Quarter

Order intake showed particularly strong growth at the start of the year. It increased by 16 percent compared to the previous quarter, reflecting high demand for sensor and measurement technology solutions. This resulted in a positive book-to-bill ratio of 1.16 for AMA members in the first quarter of 2026. This figure represents the ratio of order intake to revenue during the same period and is an important indicator of future business performance.

The positive industry trend in the first quarter is also reflected in stable employment figures. Only five percent of AMA members reported having employees on short-time work. This points to a positive economic situation within the sensor and measurement technology industry, despite ongoing global uncertainties and shifts in traditional end-user markets.

PFAS remains an important issue for the future

The regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remains a key strategic issue. The results of the survey of AMA members show that the majority of companies are already actively addressing the potential implications. Just under 39 percent of respondents are currently in the initial analysis phase, while 20 percent are already planning concrete measures. About 24 percent have begun implementation or have already largely adapted their processes. Only four percent of companies have not yet addressed the issue of PFAS.

This makes it clear that PFAS regulation has long been a strategically important issue for the sensor and measurement technology industry. Companies are actively working to adapt their products and processes to potential regulatory requirements and to ensure long-term planning certainty.

“The results for the first quarter show that the sensor and measurement technology industry is growing while actively addressing the challenges of the future,” says Philipp Gutmann, Managing Director of the AMA Association. “The positive momentum in new orders underscores our industry’s innovative strength. At the same time, our companies are addressing regulatory issues such as PFAS early on and strategically. As the AMA Association, we actively support our members in this effort.”