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VDMA Order Intake February 2025 Surprising Increase in Orders Despite Persistently Challenging Conditions

Source: Press release VDMA | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

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VDMA Verlag GmbH

In February, order books in the mechanical engineering sector filled up unexpectedly strongly, growing by a real 8 percent. Part of this increase is attributed to large-scale plant business, while another part stems from component sales.

February was a good month in a persistently challenging environment.(Image: Chanoknan - stock.adobe)
February was a good month in a persistently challenging environment.
(Image: Chanoknan - stock.adobe)

After a restrained start to the year, order books in the mechanical and plant engineering sector saw a surprisingly strong boost in February, both domestically and internationally. Overall, companies recorded an 8 percent real increase in orders compared to the previous year. Domestic orders were particularly surprising, rising by 11 percent, while foreign orders increased by 7 percent (Eurozone: +4 percent, non-Euro countries: +9 percent).

"A portion of this growth is due to large-scale plant business, while another part stems from component sales for ongoing global production. Inventory levels have largely been depleted, necessitating reorders. However, investments in new machinery or even entire machine parks remain far too rare. In short: February was—finally once again!—a good month in an—unfortunately!—persistently challenging environment," said VDMA Chief Economist Dr. Ralph Wiechers.

In the less volatile three-month period from December 2024 to February 2025, companies recorded a real 4 percent increase in orders compared to the previous year. The domestic business saw a significant decline (-5 percent), whereas international demand increased (+8 percent). Orders from Eurozone countries rose by 6 percent during this period, while non-Euro countries placed 8 percent more orders.

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