In mechanical and plant engineering, the order intake at the beginning of the year narrowly missed last year's results. The order decline in January amounted to a real minus of 2 percent. Once again, foreign orders had a stabilizing effect. Orders from Euro partner countries increased by 13 percent, while orders from non-Euro countries fell by 5 percent. Overall, this resulted in stagnation of orders from abroad compared to the previous year. The order volume from Germany remained 6 percent below last year's results.
“Although uncertainties in geo- and trade policy as well as the tense economic situation in numerous customer sectors continue to dampen investment sentiment globally, a sideways movement in foreign business seems to be confirmed. After orders from non-Euro countries increased double digits in December, it was the turn of orders from Euro neighboring countries in January. However, the declining domestic business remains a 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 decrease in order intake of a real 2 percent compared to the previous year. Domestic business (minus 10 percent) saw significant declines, while foreign business was able to increase slightly (plus 1 percent). Euro countries ordered 5 percent more machines and plants during this period, while non-Euro countries stagnated.
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