1. Monthly bulletin August 2017 Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs

2. Incoming orders in Germany Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering starts full-swing into the second half of the year
Mechanical engineering companies in Germany are optimistic for the second half of the year. In the first half of 2017, orders rose by 4 percent in real terms. In June, incoming orders increased by 2 percent when compared to the previous year. This was largely caused by demand from non-euro countries (plus 11 percent), while the euro zone was weakened by an unusually good level the year before (minus 12 percent). Domestic orders continue to lag behind (minus 3 percent).
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

3. Production of German mechanical engineering
During the first five months of the year, production in mechanical engineering exceeded the previous year’s level by 3.5 percent, according to the preliminary calculations. This increase underscores the production forecast for 2017 of plus 3 percent in real terms, which had been adjusted in June. In addition to a positive business climate and a strong increase in orders from the euro partner countries, the exports to China, which increased considerably in the first five months, are expected to generate further growth in production.
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

4. Capacity utilization in German mechanical engineering
At 87.8 percent, the capacity utilization in July 2017 was above of the long-term industry average for the first time since The utilization rate has risen considerably since October 2016 after it had stagnated at the bottom end of a still-tolerable level since the end of 2012, with an exception in July This development is in line with the production curve, since it also displayed a moderate upward tendency since the fall of last year. The absolute low in the period since 2012 was recorded in July 2016 at 83.3 percent, the highest result was 88.0 percent in April 2012.
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

5. Employees in German mechanical engineering
A seasonal drop in employment in April has been more than compensated for in May. The number of employees in the German mechanical engineering industry grew by 3'000 in rounded figures compared to the month before. The percentage change with respect to last year has continued to increase. Thus the 2016 drop in the employment level caused by statistical effects could soon be made up for.
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

6. German machine export
In May 2017, German machinery exports exceeded the previous year’s result in the same month by 16.1 percent. A plus of 5.3 percent thus results for the first five months. The positive trend has now reached all of the world’s regions, with just a few exceptions (e.g. Turkey, South Africa, OPEC countries). Even South America is 2.6 percent above the previous year’s figures. The Chinese market has regained its footing with a plus of 20.4 percent and the US market has grown by 7.1 percent. The smaller neighbors of the major players, South Korea and Mexico, boomed with plus 17.3 and 22 percent. The Russian market gained some ground with plus 20.6 percent. In Western Europe, developments were more restrained: The EURO 19 zone achieved plus 1.1 percent, the EU 28 int total achieved a plus of 0.6 percent.
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

7. Incoming orders in Germany for selected sectors
In the last three statistically verifiable months (April – June 2017), 20 of the 28 subsectors (which are taken into account separately in the VDMA incoming order statistics) experienced an increase compared to the previous year. Four subsectors even saw growth rates of 40 percent and more. These include process plant and equipment, mining machinery, thermo process technology and textile machinery. Measuring and testing technology, compressors, compressed air and vacuum technology, printing and paper technology and power systems (turbines), on the other hand, suffered losses of 10 percent or more.
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

8. Business situation and expectations Manufacturing industry in Germany
In manufacturing the index in July hit a new record high. Assessments of the current business situation scaled unprecedented heights. Manufacturers once again expressed greater optimism about the short-term future.
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

9. Economic situation of German mechanical engineering
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017

10. Contact. Dr. Ralph Wiechers VDMA Volkswirtschaft und Statistik
Lyoner Str. 18
60528 Frankfurt
Phone
Monthly bulletin
| Economic and statistic affairs
August 2017