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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.

The slight easing in the order books in July is not a trend reversal: The hoped-for dynamism in investments in mechanical engineering is still lacking. Therefore, the promised relief must come in the autumn.

The order intake in May was a pleasant surprise - albeit on a weak year-on-year basis. Overall, companies have recorded a slight increase in orders this year so far, but global uncertainty remains high.

The order intakes in mechanical engineering decreased by a real 6 percent in April compared to the previous year. An expected dampener, given the uncertainty caused by US tariff policy.

The first quarter of 2025 resulted in an order increase of a total of 4 percent - it was the first positive quarterly balance of orders in three years. March also closed with a pleasing order increase of 4 percent.

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In February, the order books in mechanical engineering unexpectedly filled up by a real 8 percent. Part of this increase is due to large-scale business, and part is due to component business.

In January, mechanical engineering also recorded a slight decline in orders. Foreign orders had a stabilizing effect, while the order volume in the domestic market is a cause for concern.

The overall result of orders in 2024 in mechanical and plant engineering is disappointing. The wait for a turnaround continues. Better framework conditions at the German location are an important aspect.