Politics & Associations

The Association of the German Turning Parts Industry reviews the year 2025

The start of the year was disappointing, with mechanical engineering recording a 6 percent decrease in orders in January. The war in the Gulf region brings new uncertainty and burdens.

The mechanical and plant engineering sector in Germany had to endure noticeable losses in foreign markets again in 2025.

Artificial Intelligence in the Turned Parts Industry

Secretary of State Matthias Hauer presents a funding notification for the InnoWaerm project at Fraunhofer ILT. The project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) with around 1.5 million euros, develops high-temperature resistant lightweight reactors made of titanium aluminide, which can be produced using additive manufacturing.

On January 27 and 28, 2026, around 30 members of the FDWF gathered at AHP Merkle in Gottenheim to reflect on current research activities and to set impulses for future projects.

Statement by Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU–SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, on the situation of the machine tool industry in Italy in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Orders in US Manufacturing Technology reach record high in December 2025

The mechanical engineering industry in Germany ended the year 2025 with zero growth in the order books. Overall, the mood in the sector has recently brightened slightly.

During the New Year's reception of the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences on January 21, 2026, the VDWF Promotion Prize for outstanding theses was awarded. Dominik Leuwer and Frank Eberhardt were honored for their master's theses.

NRW State Secretary Paul Höller visited the headquarters in Bocholt and spoke with Flender CEO Andreas Evertz after a factory tour of parts manufacturing and hardening about the prospects for the machinery and plant engineering sector in the defense industry.

For the companies in the field of cutting technology and the metalworking industry, the last few years have been more of a gloomy, bumpy tunnel ride than a panoramic drive with a view. Too many hurdles and obstacles have lined the path to growth. Below is our look back in the rearview mirror at the past year.

The precision tool industry is urgently awaiting clear political signals for better framework conditions and is focusing on tungsten recycling in Europe to strengthen supply security and independence.

Statement by VDMA President Bertram Kawlath on the tariff threat from US President Trump