After a longer phase of economic restraint, signs of recovery are increasing in the turning parts sector. The current half-year report of the Association of German Turning Parts Industry shows a positive development in order intake and sales.
For the evaluation of the first half of 2026, the data from 44 association members with a total of 7,266 recorded employees were taken into account. The result: The economic situation has noticeably improved compared to the first half of 2025. The sales of the surveyed companies increased by 3.9 percent. The adjusted sales – excluding material costs – also developed positively with an increase of 3.8 percent for the first time in a long time.
The revival is even more evident in the order intake. With an increase of 11.1 percent compared to the previous year, the industry receives important impulses for the coming months. The average order backlog remains virtually unchanged at 32.7 weeks, providing companies with a solid planning basis. An important stability factor is foreign business. The export ratio is at a high level of 38.6 percent, although it is slightly lower than the 2025 value of 40.7 percent.
Improved Utilization, Less Short-Time Work
The increasing order intake is increasingly affecting the capacity utilization of companies. 40 percent of businesses report an improved situation, while only 20 percent observe a deterioration. The number of turning parts manufacturers reporting more overtime is also increasing.
The labor market shows the sector to be overall stable. The number of employees decreased slightly by 63 compared to the beginning of the year, while almost every second company now reports a need for personnel. Short-time work plays only a minor role: Only 6 percent of the surveyed members resorted to this instrument in the first half of the year.
Willingness to Invest Remains a Concern
Despite the overall positive development, association members continue to invest their capital extremely cautiously. With an investment ratio of only 4.2 percent, the first half of 2026 recorded the lowest value since the beginning of the surveys. The real investment expenditure per employee was also at a new low of 3,551 euros. The focus remains unchanged in the production area and is mainly used for replacing existing facilities and securing existing capacities.
The outlook for the coming months is more positive than last year. 21 percent of companies expect an improvement in their situation, 70 percent anticipate stable development. Only 9 percent expect further decline. 'The current figures send the first positive signals for our industry,' says association managing director Werner Liebmann. 'Nevertheless, we must take the historically low willingness to invest very seriously, as it is crucial for the competitiveness of our companies in the coming years.'
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