Industryweek 8674 German Flag

German Machine Tool Orders Rise in March

April 29, 2015
Rising foreign demand boosted Germany's key mechanical engineering sector in March, the VDMA industry federation said Wednesday.

Rising foreign demand boosted Germany's key mechanical engineering sector in March, the VDMA industry federation said Wednesday.

The manufacture of machine tools is a key driver of German industry and exports.

In March, overall incoming orders rose by 4% compared with the same month a year earlier, VDMA said in a statement.

Domestic orders inched 1% higher and export orders jumped by 6%, VDMA added.

Making a three-month comparison to iron out short-term fluctuations, VDMA said overall orders rose by 2% in the period from January to March. 

Foreign orders increased by 3% in the first quarter, while domestic orders slipped by 2%, VDMA calculated.

"Exports set the pace again in March, while domestic orders rose only slightly," said VDMA's chief economist Ralph Wiechers. 

Nevertheless, the sector had not experienced a real upturn just yet. 

"The low exchange of the euro is not yet having a real effect," Wiechers said. 

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2015

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

How Manufacturers Can Optimize Operations with Weather Intelligence

Nov. 2, 2023
The bad news? Severe weather has emerged as one of the biggest threats to continuity and safety in manufacturing. The good news? The intelligence solutions that build weather ...

Lean Manufacturing in the Age of the Industrial Internet

Oct. 24, 2023
Read how advanced MES capabilities can help you improve your labor utilization, reduce WIP, and optimize your production. Download the white paper today.

Beware Extreme Software

Sept. 24, 2023
As a manufacturer, you understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve and being proactive in your approach to technology. With the rapid pace of change in the industry...

Discrete and Process Manufacturing 2024 Trends and Outlook for North America

Oct. 29, 2023
Manufacturers are reaping the benefits of automation and cloud-based solutions. Discover what is driving today's industry trends and how they can shape your growth priorities ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!