German Machinery Sector Faces Decline Amid Weak Orders

The lack of demand from key markets and insufficient government support are impacting the industry's outlook.

The VDMA reports a significant drop in orders for German machinery manufacturers, with a 4% decrease in September and an 8% decline over the first nine months of the year compared to 2023.
Domestic orders fell sharply by 16% in September, while international orders remained stable due to large-scale projects.
The VDMA attributes the downturn to weak demand in major markets like the USA and China, alongside a lack of supportive economic policies from the German government.
In response to the ongoing challenges, the VDMA has revised its production forecast for 2024, predicting an 8% decline compared to the previous year.
Looking ahead to 2025, the VDMA anticipates a further production decrease of 2%, reflecting continued market uncertainties.