Politics & Associations

Statement by VDMA President Bertram Kawlath on the tariff threat from US President Trump

After an exceptionally good November 2025, orders in 11 months exceeded the figures from 2024

NRW State Secretary Paul Höller visited the headquarters in Bocholt and spoke with Flender CEO Andreas Evertz after a factory tour of parts manufacturing and hardening about the prospects for the machinery and plant engineering sector in the defense industry.

The order intake in mechanical engineering has increased by a real 4 percent in October compared to the previous year. The increase is encouraging but only signifies a consolidation at a low level.

Interoperability is key to digital transformation in mechanical engineering

Machine orders in the USA have been declining since August, remaining at a high level in September 2025

The mechanical engineering companies in Germany recorded a significant decline in their order books in September. This also results in a slight order decrease for the first nine months of 2025.

Machine orders remain resilient in August despite increasing headwinds

The mood in mechanical and plant engineering has further deteriorated in the third quarter, and the outlook has noticeably worsened. In addition to the trade conflict, the weakness in key customer sectors is increasingly taking its toll.

This year, EMO celebrates its 50th anniversary. Since the first event in 1975, the fair has experienced many eras. Below is a retrospective from the start in Paris to today.