New VDW Report Reveals Sluggish German Machine Device Market

The German Machine Device Builders’ Affiliation (VDW) has launched a brand new report on the present state of the German machine instrument trade. The findings replicate a sluggish market, with an uptick in orders not anticipated till 2026. 

New figures present that German machine instrument orders in Q2 2025 remained flat YoY. Home orders fell 14% in contrast with Q2 2024, whereas overseas orders rose 7% over the identical interval. This displays a minor enchancment in comparison with Q1 2025, when whole orders fell 10%, home orders decreased 30%, and overseas orders have been flat YoY.

Between January and June 2025, whole orders fell by 5% in contrast with the primary half of 2024. Throughout the identical interval, home orders dropped by 22%, whereas overseas demand grew by 4%.

Dr. Markus Heering, Govt Director of the VDW, defined that weak demand is being pushed by persevering with uncertainty round U.S. tariff insurance policies and “many different crises” world wide. These have induced traders to delay orders and take a “wait-and-see method.”  

Regardless of a sluggish begin to 2025, the VDW forecasted a “brightening” medium-term outlook. It famous that the will increase in protection and infrastructure spending, together with a just lately adopted funding bundle, might increase prospects’ willingness to make new purchases. 

What’s extra, the ifo enterprise local weather index, which measures month-to-month enterprise sentiment in Germany, is signalling an enchancment within the German manufacturing trade. In the meantime, the worldwide Buying Managers’ Index (PMI) means that the economic sector hunch is bottoming out. 

Nonetheless, the DVW acknowledged that these constructive indicators don’t signify the “hoped-for turnaround” in German machine instruments this 12 months. “The restoration of the machine instrument trade has been put again as soon as once more,” commented Heering. “We don’t anticipate a return to secure progress till 2026.”  

The German machine instrument trade experiences order hunch 

The German machine instrument trade ranks among the many 5 largest specialist teams within the mechanical engineering sector. In 2021, Germany held a 13.4% share of the worldwide market, putting it behind solely China and Japan. By 2024, the nation’s trade employed 65,300 folks and produced machines and providers price €14.7 billion. 

Nonetheless, international macroeconomic uncertainties have led to a hunch in demand this 12 months. “The principle impetus within the first half of the 12 months got here from Europe, though demand ranges haven’t but picked up within the home German market,” defined Heering.

This poor efficiency has been largely attributed to the Trump administration’s mercurial tariff insurance policies. Final month, the US signed a brand new commerce take care of the EU, agreeing to fifteen% tariffs for European exports to America. That is half of the 30% import tax price the White Home had initially threatened in opposition to European imports. Nonetheless, regardless of this slight enchancment, the VDW asserted that the 15% determine will improve prices and inhibit German exports to the U.S., its largest market. 

“U.S. trade urgently wants our machines as a result of no comparable home options can be found, but small and medium-sized US corporations specifically will be unable to pay the upper costs,” Heering added. “The tariff coverage of the U.S. is harming its personal financial system essentially the most – which is not going to be offering any nice impetus within the close to future.”   

Amid these challenges, machine instrument gross sales fell by 9% YoY within the first six months of 2025. Nonetheless, optimism stays for the upcoming EMO Hannover commerce honest, which is able to run between September 22-26, 2025. With greater than 1,500 exhibitors anticipated, Heering anticipates the occasion will “present essential impetus.”

Looking forward to 2026, the VDW expects stronger home demand to ship a much-needed increase. Nonetheless, ongoing tariff uncertainties will seemingly maintain worldwide commerce weaker than beforehand anticipated.

3D printing market efficiency

Amid poor efficiency for German machine instruments in 2025, the additive manufacturing sector is experiencing combined market efficiency. 

In line with market intelligence agency CONTEXT’s Q1 2025 report, whole revenues throughout all 3D printing classes elevated by 5% YoY. This was pushed by a 22% surge in entry-level 3D printer shipments, notably from Shenzhen-based Bambu Lab, which recorded a powerful 64% improve in shipments.  

Nonetheless, higher-level 3D printers continued to face headwinds. The economic section, which incorporates machines priced above $100,000, skilled a 14% YoY decline in shipments, down 12% on a trailing twelve-month (TTM) foundation. In the meantime, midrange 3D printers costing between $20,000 and $100,000 noticed shipments fall 16% YoY. 

Orders of professional-class printers ($2,500–$20,000) fell 4% YoY in Q1 2025, amid a transparent shift in know-how preferences. Notably, skilled FDM 3D printer shipments plunged 31% as patrons favored extra inexpensive entry-level fashions.

In April, Wohlers Associates launched its 2025 Wohlers Report, a key supply of additive manufacturing (AM) market intelligence. The info exhibits the worldwide AM trade reached $21.9 billion, together with $4.4 billion from supplies, $6 billion from machine gross sales and associated providers, $10.1 billion from printing providers, and $1.4 billion from software program.

The report initiatives the 3D printing market to develop at a compound annual price of 18%, doubtlessly reaching $115 billion by 2034. Market volatility might restrict progress to about $84 billion, whereas a quicker restoration might push the whole to $145 billion.

Need to assist choose the winners of the 2025 3D Printing Trade Awards? Register to affix the Knowledgeable Committee at this time. 

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Featured picture exhibits order bookings within the German machine instrument trade. Picture by way of the VDW.