Economy

The business of the machine factory Berthold HERMLE AG was expected to be influenced by the cautious machine tool economy in 2024.

The German machine tool industry recorded a decline in 2024, but hopes for a recovery in the second half of 2025 with a new federal government.

Orders for manufacturing technology amounted to a total of $357.3 million in January 2025, which is 29.8% less than in December, but 5.7% more than in January 2024. While the order value was 16.2% higher than in an average January, the ordered units were the lowest in a January since 2016.

As part of this, the German locations in Besigheim and Empfingen will be closed. The products previously manufactured at the two locations will henceforth be produced at other sites of the CERATIZIT Group.

In January, mechanical engineering also recorded a slight decline in orders. Foreign orders had a stabilizing effect, while the order volume in the domestic market is a cause for concern.

The USA and China remain the leaders in the export ranking of the machinery industry in 2024. Overall, exports have fallen by a nominal 5 percent to just under 200 billion euros.

Mechanical engineering feels the impact of the recession - yet companies have only reduced their workforce by just under 1 percent in 2024. Even now, core staff should be retained as much as possible.

The standard parts manufacturer Meusburger is addressing the current challenges in tool and mold making with a strategic combination of efficiency enhancement and increased digitalization.

AMF has to cope with declining sales in 2024 and aims to return to a growth path in 2025.

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

The tool manufacturer Karl-Heinz Arnold GmbH (Arno Tools) reports a revenue decline of 5.5 percent to around 54 million euros for 2024 after the record year 2023.

The investment company H.I.G. Capital is substantially investing in the HELLER Group. This partnership aims to secure the success of the transformation and opens up new opportunities for HELLER.

From March 11 to 14, 2025, SIMTEK Precision Tools GmbH will present its latest innovations at INTEC in Leipzig, one of the leading trade fairs for manufacturing and automation technology.

The brake manufacturer Knott from Eggstätt is consistently interested in further optimizing its production. A key role is played by operational improvement management.