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Baden-Wuerttemberg's mechanical and plant engineering sector generated around EUR 47.5 billion in exports in 2024

Sentiment among companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector in Baden-Württemberg remains low

After the very weak economy in 2024, hopes are pinned on markets picking up in 2025 / Politicians must set business-friendly framework conditions

The mechanical and plant engineering industry in Baden-Württemberg is facing a number of pressing challenges.

Order situation is lukewarm, investment plans are at a standstill. USA continues to be the driving force, while China disappoints.

The current Annual Report has been reissued on the occasion of the 2022 General Meeting.

Mechanical engineering in Baden-Württemberg is the leading center of German mechanical and plant engineering.

The building technology sector offers key solutions for the energy transition – yet it shrank by 4 percent in 2024. The issue isn’t a lack of innovative technology, but rather a lack of political reliability in increasingly uncertain timeson

With a monthly update, which is exclusively available to VDMA member companies for download, we inform you about the development of price indices for process engineering goods.

In July 2025, 277 new fire department vehicles were registered in Germany.

Incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector were down 5% in real terms in June compared to the same month last year.

Global sales of mining and processing technology remained stable at a high level in 2024, with a slight decline of 1.2% compared to 2023. Nevertheless, there were some changes within the most important supply regions.

Monthly tracking of the market development of raw materials relevant to valves with a focus on steel and cast iron.

Process plant and equipment from Germany in demand abroad.

On 11 July 2025, the summer meeting of the Executive Board took place at Herrenknecht AG in Schwanau.

Demand for process engineering from Germany improves slightly, sales slump.

The EMO 2025 Economic Forum discusses developments in important customer industries

As a continent rich in raw materials with around 65 percent of the world's arable land and a very young population by global standards, Africa offers enormous business and growth potential for local industry.

If you want to leverage real future potential for agribusiness, especially for agricultural technology, you can no longer ignore South America.

The future prospects for manufacturers of beverage machine and dairy technology are positive, as the global beverage industry is growing dynamically. The global sales volume of soft drinks will increase by 16% to 972 billion euros by 2028.

The business outlook in the mechanical engineering sector remains virtually unchanged, while the mood among companies remains tense. There are significant differences between the sales regions.

Global machine turnover is expected to grow by one percent in price-adjusted terms in 2025 compared to the previous year, with significant differences in regional dynamics.

In June 2025, 306 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

Market information forms the basis for many business decisions. With directly collected data and a wealth of secondary information, the Valves Association offers comprehensive know-how on industry and market developments.

Incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector increased by 2% in May compared to the same month last year.

With a monthly update, which is exclusively available to VDMA member companies for download, we inform you about the development of price indices for process engineering goods.

Incoming orders in May were a positive surprise - albeit on a weak prior-year basis. Overall, companies have recorded a small increase in orders so far this year, but global uncertainty remains high.

The decline in production in 2024 in the food processing and packaging machinery sector fell by just under 2% to 16.1 billion euros, while exports rose sharply - from 6% to 10.6 billion euros.

In China and the US, machinery and equipment manufacturing has been growing for several months. In most EU countries, fewer machinery and equipment products are being produced than a year ago.

In our quarterly report, we provide you with information on India's macroeconomic development, as well as detailed information on the manufacturing industry and individual sectors with a particular focus on machinery and equipment.

The working group deals intensively with the topics of market observation and statistics for pneumatics. The working group meets twice a year and is chaired by Heiko Kurtz, Bürkert GmbH & Co KG, Ingelfingen.

April brings an increase in orders and a rise in sales thanks to international business.

Europe's construction industry is recovering - thanks to stable prices, better financing and EU funding. Residential construction will be the most important driver in future, with significant growth. In Germany, however, this will not become a reality until 2027 at the earliest.

The member companies of the VDMA's General Air Technology Association report a stable situation without any significant impetus. At the same time, the economic situation is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty.

In May 2025, 257 new firefighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

We produce monthly data sheets on various sectors, categories and countries based on data from Euromonitor International. We publish these via the NuV-Telegram newsletter and make them available for download here.

Incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector were down 10% in real terms in April compared to the same month last year.

The publication provides an overview of CECE's activities. It shows the topics with which the CECE is involved at European and international level.

Current forecasts, key figures and background information on agricultural framework conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.

Saudi Arabia is currently 20-30 percent self-sufficient in food. The country is only self-sufficient in some vegetables.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector fell by 6% in real terms in April compared to the previous year. An expected setback, given the uncertainty caused by US tariff policy.

The global business situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains mixed. While India and Brazil are impressing with good figures, China is struggling with structural challenges. The USA is characterized by the latest tariff policy.

How well do you know the VDMA statistics database? And how often do you use it? Join us on a half-hour tour and get to know our wide range of data.

The mechanical engineering sector started the year with a subdued export result. March at least showed a slight upward trend. However, the weaknesses in the Chinese and EU markets remain serious.

Incoming orders and sales in the process engineering sector develop negatively in March Incoming orders: slightly down / turnover: very clearly down on the same month last year.

In April 2025, 329 new firefighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

The first quarter of 2025 resulted in an overall increase in orders of 4% - the first positive quarterly balance of orders in three years. March also closed with a pleasing increase in orders of 4%.

The VDMA reports a decline in production in the food processing and packaging machinery sector of just under 2% to EUR 16.1 billion, while exports grew by 6% to EUR 10.6 billion.

Start of successful association networking. Despite difficult circumstances, bauma 2025 attracts its first visitors from Ukraine - in search of strong German partners in mechanical engineering.

The global food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic growth sectors. Plastic dominates sales of retail packaging for food and beverages.

Spain increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.1% in 2024. Companies exported machines worth 77 million euros.

Italy increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.8% in 2024. Companies achieved a record level of 182 million euros in foreign trade.

In March 2025, 282 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

Global demand for packaged food, beverages, liquid food, pharmaceutical products and other non-food products will continue to rise in the coming years. The packaging machinery industry is benefiting from these developments.

Sentiment in the mechanical engineering sector improved somewhat at the start of 2025, but remains very mixed. A majority of companies do not expect slight growth again until 2026.

After a good previous month, industrial valves manufacturers' sales remained on course for expansion in June. Turnover continued to increase both in Germany and abroad.

While foreign business in particular weakened in the previous month, it turned out to be a growth driver in June. Domestic sales, on the other hand, were down on the previous year.

EU machinery and equipment manufacturing companies currently rate their competitive position as worse than the long-term average. This is particularly true to companies based in Germany.

India's Interim Union Budget for 2024 projects a reduction in the revised fiscal deficit and a decline in inflation. These key economic indicators signal a promising future for the Indian economy, even amidst global economic uncertainties.

In February, order books in the mechanical engineering sector filled up unexpectedly strongly by 8% in real terms. Part of this growth was due to large-scale plant business and part to component business.

The economic situation for the mining industry as a whole remains stable at a good level.

As in the previous year, demand for capital goods was weak in 2024. Machinery and equipment worth an estimated 3.26 trillion euros was sold worldwide, 1.5% less than in 2023.

The future prospects of the supplier industry for the meat and protein sector are positive, as the global food industry is developing dynamically. Germany is on its way to becoming the leading market for meat substitute products.

No recovery at the start of the year - order intake continues to decline, sales develop positively.

The machinery and equipment industry in Europe can hold its own in the face of increasingly tough global competition - if the promised relief comes and companies push ahead with their transformation.

In 2024, price-adjusted production output in the EU mechanical and plant engineering sector contracted by 7 percent compared to the previous year.

Monthly tracking of the market development of valve-relevant raw materials with a focus on non-ferrous metals

Here you can download our digital press kit and the press kit of our cooperation partner, the Fraunhofer IVV.

In February 2025, 243 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

Last year, agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers in Germany recorded a noticeable double-digit decline in sales.

As an important service, VDMA Armaturen offers member companies regular updates on key industry facts relating to the building and industrial valves industry.

The quarterly report "Machinery & Equipment in China" contains relevant key figures such as production, sales, profit and investment trends in the local mechanical engineering industry as well as important customer industries in China.

Manufacturers of industrial valves are facing new challenges in 2025. So far, foreign business has provided positive impetus, but now empty order books and uncertain forecasts are dampening the mood.

Turnover in the building valves industry will stagnate in 2024, and foreign business will also remain weak. A slight recovery is expected in 2025. But above all, the industry needs better location conditions.

The right conditions are crucial for renewed growth. bauma 2025, the world's leading trade fair for the sector, will provide the impetus.

Current forecasts, key figures and background information on agricultural framework conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.

Despite strong international business in December - the year 2024 closes with a minus, as feared

The mechanical engineering sector is feeling the effects of the recession - yet companies only reduced their workforce by just under 1% in 2024. Even now, the core workforce is to be retained as much as possible.

In January 2025, 201 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

The overall result for orders in 2024 in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is disappointing. The wait for a turnaround continues. Better framework conditions in Germany are an important aspect of this.

The mood in the mechanical engineering sector remains tense, with one in three companies rating their own situation as poor. Business prospects are a small ray of hope - but reforms are urgently needed.

After stagnating at a level of between 400 and 500 million euros in the last decade, German mechanical engineering exports to Kazakhstan have almost doubled to 900 million euros in 2023.

Stagnation at a low level: The September phenomenon did not bring the hoped-for turnaround.

After a ten-year growth period, German manufacturers of machinery for processing meat and alternative proteins were unable to record renewed growth in 2024.

In December 2024, 317 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

A small ray of hope in orders from eurozone countries in November does not change the overall weather situation: orders in the mechanical engineering sector are not gaining momentum.

7th edition of bauma Conexpo India offers a strong platform. VDMA members remain confident about the Indian market and export opportunities from Indian production.

VDMA member companies see the US market as an opportunity and are cautiously optimistic about the coming years. Many are building on good or even very good competitiveness, but this must be defended.

Production conditions in Germany were the main topic of discussion at the Executive Board meeting on 21 November 2024 at Zollverein colliery.

In October 2024, orders in the process engineering sector were significantly lower than in the previous year. Turnover, on the other hand, exceeded the previous year's figure.

Heavy seas and no calm in sight: the mechanical engineering industry expects a decline in production and a slight reduction in jobs in 2025. A political turnaround is needed to strengthen the industry.

In November 2024, 304 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany.

The economic data from China offers little cause for optimism: domestic consumption is growing slowly. The economic recovery is taking longer than expected. In the real estate sector, there is no hope of a short-term recovery in prices.

Order books in the mechanical engineering sector remain weak, with 9% fewer orders booked in October than in the previous year. Customers remain hesitant to make new investments

The valve industry is looking back on a challenging year ahead of the VALVE WORLD EXPO 2024. As a driving force for innovations and trending topics, the trade fair can set the course for future growth.

Current forecasts, key figures and background information on general agricultural conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.

A weak global economy and many structural problems at home are weighing on the export business in the mechanical engineering sector. Exports fell by a good 5 percent in the first nine months.

Industry expects a 16% drop in sales; companies must implement the Cyber Resilience Act; VDMA's Manufacturing-X report

Again and again in September: very significant swings - resulting from large-scale plant business - have had an impact on the year-to-date order intake and turnover in the process engineering sector.

310 new fire fighting vehicles were registered in Germany in October 2024.

The order situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains weak, particularly in Germany. However, companies are also still waiting for new investment momentum in global business.

On October 28, the Russian central bank raised the key interest rate to 21 percent. At the same time, it indicated that the interest rate could soon rise even higher. The reasons are high inflation and the overheated economy.

Regional harvest forecasts can be a decisive guideline for agricultural machinery sales. After all, satellite data makes it possible to calculate very precise forecasts - even weeks before the harvest.

The situation remains tense, even though incoming orders increased in August compared to the (weak) same month last year. However, turnover fell by the same amount compared to August 2023.

The poor mood in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is also reflected in the VDMA economic survey for the materials handling and intralogistics sector.

In September 2024, 236 new fire department vehicles were registered in Germany.

According to the latest VDMA survey, the mood and prospects in the mechanical engineering sector have deteriorated noticeably. This makes it all the more urgent for politicians to finally set the course for new growth.

At the meeting of the construction equipment section during the 2024 general assembly, members took a detailed look at the economic situation.

Incoming orders down 16 percent year-on-year from January to August | Improvement expected by the end of year

In August, incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector increased by 7% compared to the previous year. However, the upward outlier is not yet a trend reversal; special factors were responsible for the result.

The following summarizes the discussions with VDMA members' branches in Turkey and with Turkish mechanical engineering companies as well as the second meeting of VDMA members in Istanbul.

The German food machinery and packaging machinery industry increased its exports by 4 percent in the first half of 2024. In 2023, exports rose by 9 percent to 9.9 billion euros - a new record.

Weak global trade and a lack of investment will result in an 8% drop in mechanical engineering production in 2024. A trend reversal will probably not set in until 2025.

The situation remains critical: in July, orders in the Process Engineering sector were once again significantly lower than in the same month last year. Turnover increased slightly compared to June 2023.

For the first time in months, orders only fell in single digits in July. However, this does not yet mean a turnaround; there is a lack of impetus for new investments worldwide.

In 2024, German machinery exports to Latin America increased by 0.8% - after three previous years of strong growth. The Chart Pack provides facts and figures on the market.

Things are starting to get dramatic: in June, orders in the Process Engineering sector were also significantly lower than in the same month last year. Turnover also fell sharply compared to June 2023.

Following last year's price-adjusted decline in turnover, global machinery turnover is expected to rise by a moderate 1 percent in price-adjusted terms in 2025.

Geopolitical tensions dampen short-term business development

The Fluid Power Association represents almost 240 member companies with a total turnover of 8.5 billion euros and almost 40,000 employees. The export ratio is over 60 % on average.

Global cement production and consumption are among the most important indicators of activity in the construction industry.

The Oil Hydraulics Market Investigation Working Group meets twice a year. The participants find out about the economic situation in mechanical engineering and fluid power in particular and discuss current trends in mechanical engineering.

In this compilation of GTAI articles from 2024 on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life science and pharmaceutical sectors, you will find the markets and articles in chronological order.

On behalf of the VDMA Germany Trade and Invest (gtai) publishes reports on the construction industry of selected markets.

The VDMA Business Survey Q2/2025 ran from June 24 to July 4, 2025 and received arround 1230 responses from 936 companies. The mood remains tense. Many are not expecting turnover growth until 2026.

For several years now, we have been producing monthly data sheets on various sectors, categories and countries based on data from Euromonitor International. We publish the latest editions via the monthly newsletter NuV-Telegram.

In the last two years, the bottlenecks on the labor market for engineers have become much more acute. Never before has the mechanical engineering sector been looking for so many employees, and never before have there been so many vacancies for engineers.

Centralized survey will kick off after Easter holidays. Participation enables benchmarking against the mechanical engineering sector and will allow for a sub-sector view.

In the past financial year 2023, the agricultural machinery industry grew once again in Germany as a production location.

In this member information of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association you will find an overview of the services offered by the VDMA in the area of markets and economy.

In this compilation of GTAI articles from 2023 on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life science and pharmaceutical sectors, you will find the markets and articles in chronological order.

Current forecasts, key figures and background information on agricultural conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.

Everything you need to know about worldwide sales, exports and imports

The economic reports for 2025 on important foreign markets in the food and packaging industry, compiled exclusively for the VDMA by gtai, are now available in German and English language.

VDMA members visit Schwing Stetter India in Cheyyar. Construction industry in India is experiencing a significant upswing. Conditions are right for strong expansion of local production.

On a monthly basis, our economic update gives a brief overview of the ecomomic situation of the construction equipment industry, e.g. order income, turnover, business climate and trade figures.

Mechanical and plant engineering is one of the world's most important industrial sectors. We show the wide range of its economic indicators - presented in interactive charts and tables.

Stay successful in a volatile market: VDMA offers an interactive report on European business climate indicators. Follow the developments of your most important European target markets and customer industries at a glance and make informed decisions based on current data.

There are many reasons for European companies to think about diversification of supply chains, production sites and sales markets. Indonesia is increasingly coming into focus in the machinery and plant engineering sector.

It's the same exercise every year: as part of the preparation of the management report, an overview of the overall economic development and the situation in the industry usually has to be provided.

The global mechanical and plant engineering industry reached a new record high in 2021. In euro terms, around 15% more machines were sold than in the previous year. China cracked the 1 trillion euro mark.

VDMA regularly generates data sheets with important indicators for its members. Raw data from various sources are processed for these. The latest data are provdided in our statistics database.

VDMA committed to shaping Manufacturing-X; New edition of the Electrical Automation Industry Guide; Current fields of action of the Wireless Communications for Machines Working Group

Although the situation in supply chains has eased, prices remain an important issue. To get an overview of current developments, it is worth taking a look at the interactive report.

Learn more about our statistics at VDMA Robotics + Automation.

Exclusively for its member companies, the Fluid Power Association publishes the "Fluid Power Data Sheet" on a quarterly basis.

The Economics and Statistics department provides you with all industry-relevant economic and market information. Benefit from our expertise and use our statistics as a basis for smart business decisions.

Information on the development of incoming orders for liquid pumps can be found here.

Download the key figures (in German) here.

Download the key figures (in German) here.

Information on the development of incoming orders for manufacturers of compressors, compressed air and vacuum technology can be found here.

The VDMA statistics database offers all VDMA member companies fast and convenient access to economic information on all aspects of mechanical engineering.

Flash survey in the general ventilation technology sector: sales expected to fall by 7 percent in 2020 Forecast: slight growth of 2 percent in the coming year

Regular exchange on the development of automation technology and the economic situation in the mechanical engineering industries

The Japan Construction Report is provided by the VDMA team in Tokyo. It contains news of the construction, glass and ceramics industry of Japan and is published monthly in German. The most recent report can be downloaded from this website.

Recent market information from the Indian construction and construction equipment industry are summarized in the bi-monthly report made by the VDMA team in Kolkata. The latest issue may be downloaded from this website.

Exclusive country reports for VDMA members to monitor developments in the automotive industry and its suppliers, provided by VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association

More and more VDMA members want to find out about the structure and economic situation of their customers or potential partners in China. The VDMA offices in China have taken up this demand and now offer a corresponding service via the local VDMA service company.

An overview of all offers of the trade association for market observation, market information and user industries.

The trade association offers its members a wide range of market information. No other source provides such meaningful and up-to-date data for fluid technology.