In June 2023, order intake in the machinery and plant engineering sector was also significantly down on the prior-year figure, with orders falling by 15 percent in real terms. For the first half of 2023, orders were down 14 percent in real terms.
Order intake in the machinery and plant engineering sector fell significantly short of the prior-year figure. Orders fell by 15 percent in real terms. There were 18 percent fewer orders from Germany and 14 percent fewer orders from abroad. Only orders from the euro countries showed a comparatively more positive trend, with a decline of only 2 percent, while the non-euro countries were down by 19 percent.
“This means that the balance for the first half of the year is clearly negative. Although numerous companies are still drawing on high order backlogs, the air is slowly becoming tight in terms of new orders. A turnaround is not yet in sight,” explains Dr. Ralph Wiechers, Chief Economist of the VDMA.
For the first half of 2023, the bottom line was a year-on-year decline in new orders of 14 percent in real terms. From January to June inclusive, domestic orders fell by 11 percent, and 15 percent fewer orders came from abroad (euro countries: minus 16 percent, non-euro countries: minus 15 percent).
“The machinery and plant engineering sector is now feeling the full impact of the hesitant propensity to invest in virtually all sales regions. The causes are manifold. The effects of the restrictive monetary policy to curb inflation are making themselves felt. So are the uncertainties in the face of tough geopolitical disputes. And, of course, the readjustment of companies and their business models as a result of the transformation. All in all, an unhealthy mix of diverse burdens that must be reduced step by step before things can pick up significantly,” sums up the VDMA chief economist.