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The Economics and Statistics department provides you with all industry-relevant economic and market information. Benefit from our expertise and use our statistics as a basis for smart business decisions.
VDMA Foreign Trade supports you and your export business. We prepare topics relevant to mechanical engineering for you: up-to-date and easy to understand.
China has developed rapidly and, as a result, undergone considerable change. This has an impact on the economic and political environment to which the machinery and plant engineering industry cannot close its eyes.
Practical tips on reporting obligations for work assignments in Italy and on the construction site driver's license introduced in October 2024. Online event in cooperation with the German-Italian Chamber of Commerce on March 27, 2025.
EU machinery and equipment manufacturing companies currently rate their competitive position as worse than the long-term average. This is particularly true to companies based in Germany.
The partner country of Hannover Messe 2025 is Canada: The country is attractive for the European mechanical and plant engineering industry and offers significant growth potential.
The VDMA has published its first quarterly economic report for the US market for plant and machinery.
The Hermes package of measures from January 2025 is also intended to offer the supplier industry more opportunities on the export markets. The VDMA explains what is important.
The Hermes package of measures from January 2025 improves the forfaiting guarantee.
The Hermes package of measures from January 2025 offers applicants a German Footprint concept if they do not only export German value added.
The mechanical engineering sector is feeling the effects of the recession - yet companies only reduced their workforce by just under 1% in 2024. Even now, the core workforce is to be retained as much as possible.
Many VDMA members are considering investing in the US market for the first time or deepening existing investments. We invite you to an interactive conference in presence on March 25, 2025.
The expertise of the VDMA extends far beyond the main topics of the Hannover Messe. Meet VDMA experts on various topics in Hanover.
On the initiative of the VDMA Forum Process Technology, several water trade fairs have once again made it into the German government's foreign trade fair program in 2025. The destinations are not just in the east and the west.
English newsletter service of the Foreign Trade Department for VDMA members: The most important information at a glance. Subscribe now!
The Chinese government has taken countermeasures in response to the US government's announcement that it will impose an additional 10 percent tariff on all imports from China.
The study compares the salary structures of 80 key positions in manufacturing and business-related services across the Czech Republic and its regions.
The overall result for orders in 2024 in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is disappointing. The wait for a turnaround continues. Better framework conditions in Germany are an important aspect of this.
Given the overall economic environment, which is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty, the production and demand for capital goods continue to be weak.
The US tariffs for Canada and Mexico also affect the mechanical engineering industry - and its American customers. Quick negotiations are needed to get the tariffs off the table.
Machinery new orders revised upwards for the first time in 8 months, supported by investment in decarbonization and AI
The German government wants to boldly reform export promotion. SMEs in particular can benefit from this - if the banks go along with it.
The mood in the mechanical engineering sector remains tense, with one in three companies rating their own situation as poor. Business prospects are a small ray of hope - but reforms are urgently needed.
Less bureaucracy, a maximum tax rate of 25% and an efficient infrastructure are essential to ensure competitiveness. Germany will only remain a strong industrial location through bold reforms.
Registration procedures, procedure for work up to 90 days and wage calculation: VDMA info sheet provides practical tips for optimal planning of work assignments in Switzerland.
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued the final rules that prohibit the sale or import of vehicles equipped with hardware or software associated with Chinese or Russian-controlled entities.
Donald Trump's economic program could be a test of strength for Europe. This makes it all the more important that the EU now acts as one, especially on trade issues.
We have updated our interactive report on foreign affiliates.
The trade fair year 2025 calls solution providers from the oil, gas and petrochemical industries to Baku, Tashkent, Milan and Abu Dhabi, among others. The program will be completed by privatly organised stands in Cairo and Beijing.
Exports by German mechanical engineering companies fell by a nominal 5.6% to EUR 182.9 billion in the first eleven months of 2024.
In our theme publications, you will find facts, figures and data related to vocational training, engineering courses, skilled workers, mechanical engineers and women in machinery and equipment manufacturing.
How many apprenticeship positions are currently available? How many applicants are there? How have supply and demand for the most important professions developed in recent years? Get all the information at a glance here.
Overview of the VDMA's foreign trade policy activities in 2024 - a review of the year
The implementation of reporting obligations for work assignments in Europe is a major challenge for many VDMA member companies.
A small ray of hope in orders from eurozone countries in November does not change the overall weather situation: orders in the mechanical engineering sector are not gaining momentum.
The USA is an important market for the German mechanical engineering industry. Despite protectionist tendencies, the dynamic remains positive; with the potential of headwinds. The VDMA calls for close EU-US relations and rejects tariffs.
At the end of 2024, Switzerland and the EU managed to redefine their relations. It is questionable whether the necessary referendum in Switzerland will accept the rules.
Are you planning a visit to the Hannover Messe? The VDMA is offering you exclusive free tickets for your visit.
2025 is the year in which Germany must set the course for growth and competitiveness. It needs more courage to ensure freedom and rapid political reforms.
Despite falling interest rates worldwide, a broad-based upturn is not in sight. Military conflicts and de-globalization continue to weigh on business in many specialist areas of mechanical engineering.
In the first nine months of 2024, price-adjusted production in the EU machinery and equipment manufacturing industry shrank by 7 percent year-on-year.
Deutsche Messe AG provides active support in making travel arrangements and booking accommodation for trade fairs in Hanover. The various offers are bundled at get2fairs.com.
The VDMA Dubai meeting was characterized by a positive mood - driven by current business as well as business expectations. Nevertheless, there are challenges.
Global machinery turnover is expected to rise by 1 percent in real terms in 2025. The forecast uncertainty is high in view of intensifying trade conflicts.
VDMA member companies see the US market as an opportunity and are cautiously optimistic about the coming years. Many are building on good or even very good competitiveness, but this must be defended.
The U.S. Census Bureau has published new figures from the industry statistics by region. They provide information on turnover, value added and the number of employees, among other things. We present this data clearly in an interactive report.
The EU Commission agrees to postpone the Deforestation Regulation by one year following massive criticism.
The EU Commission has published the Combined Nomenclature (commodity codes) for the year 2025. There are only a few changes for mechanical engineering.
Heavy seas and no calm in sight: the mechanical engineering industry expects a decline in production and a slight reduction in jobs in 2025. A political turnaround is needed to strengthen the industry.
The EU-Mercosur agreement must now become a reality as quickly as possible. It is an important signal against isolationism and must not be called into question again in the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
Important questions on this topic
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What support does the VDMA offer in opening up new markets?
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What is the economic situation for mechanical engineering in Germany?
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What is the forecast for the German mechanical and plant engineering sector?
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Which key figures are available for the different markets as a fundament for entrepreneurial decisions?
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