Large-scale plant business provides exceptional impetus
An exceptionally high contribution from large-scale plant business has filled the order books of machinery and plant manufacturers strongly in September. Orders increased by 65% in real terms compared to the previous year.
An exceptionally high contribution from large-scale plant business filled the order books of the machinery engineering industry in September. Orders in this month increased by 65% in real terms compared to the previous year. Domestic orders grew by only 3%. From abroad, on the other hand, the companies recorded almost a doubling of orders (+98%). “Large-scale plant business had a particular impact on the month of September. But even without this special effect, the total order intake would still be around one fifth above the previous year’s level,” explained VDMA economic expert Olaf Wortmann. How quickly these orders can now be processed is difficult to estimate in view of the prevailing supply bottlenecks for some components and materials. “What is encouraging, however, is that the revival in demand remains intact and is only fed to a small extent by panic buying. But it will take longer than usual for these orders to turn into sales,” said Wortmann.
For the first nine months of 2021, machinery and plant manufacturers recorded a real increase in incoming orders of 36% compared to the previous year. Domestic orders were up 19%, while orders from abroad were up 45%. The non-euro countries (+49%) showed even more dynamism in this period than the euro countries (+36%).
In the three-month period from July to September 2021, the order balance was also very pleasing. Orders increased by 50% compared to the previous year. Domestic orders grew by 19%, while foreign orders increased by 67%. Orders from euro countries rose by 31%, while orders from non-euro countries were up 82%.
