Monthly bulletin September 2017 Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs

Incoming orders in Germany Mechanical engineering Strong increase – including in the domestic market Incoming orders in July saw positive development. While demand from euro partner countries could not quite maintain the level of the past months, there was great momentum coming from non-euro countries. The strong increase in domestic orders is particularly encouraging, as this area was marked by a lack of dynamism in the last months. Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs September 2017

Production of German mechanical engineering During the first six months of the year, production in mechanical engineering exceeded the previous year’s level by 2.4 percent, according to preliminary calculations. This increase underscores the production forecast for 2017 of plus 3 percent in real terms, which had been adjusted in June. The forecast was adjusted due to a strong increase in orders from euro partner countries and good business with China. Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs September 2017

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 2012. 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 2014. This development is in line with the production curve, that 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 September 2017

Employees in German mechanical engineering The upward trend in employment continues with a net gain of well above 1,000 in June. The year-over-year growth rate has again increased by 0.2 percentage points to now 1.1 percent . The additional jobs were provided in the subsectors repair and installation of machines. With 7,000 short-time workers at the beginning of 2017, the number of short-time workers matches the low levels in the second half of 2016. Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs September 2017

German machine export German machinery exports exceeded the previous year’s level by a nominal 2 percent in June 2017. This results in a cumulative increase of 5.9 percent in the first six months of the year. With an export increase of 22.6 percent, China provided the biggest momentum. Exports to the USA rose by 7.3 percent, while 25.5 percent more machines were delivered to neighboring Mexico and 15.8 percent to South Korea. Another plus was achieved in the Russian market with 20.6 percent. India (7.5 percent) and North Africa (6.8 percent) saw average growth. Growth rates were lower in Southeast Asia (4.4 percent) and Western Europe (2.7 percent for EURO-19 and 2 percent for EU-28 countries). Exports to OPEC countries declined by 9 percent. Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs September 2017

Incoming orders in Germany for selected sectors In the last three statistically verifiable months (May – July 2017), 21 of the 28 sectors (which are taken into account separately in the VDMA incoming order statistics) experienced an increase compared to the previous year. Six sectors recorded growth of 30 percent and more. These include Mining Equipment, Process Plant and Equipment, Plastics and Rubber Machinery, Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies, Woodworking Machinery and Thermo Process 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 September 2017

Business situation and expectations Manufacturing industry in Germany In August the index in manufacturing once again broke last month’s record. Companies were slightly less satisfied with their current business situation, which nevertheless remains strong. They expressed greater optimism about the short-term outlook. Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs September 2017

Economic situation of German mechanical engineering Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs September 2017

Contact. Dr. Ralph Wiechers VDMA Volkswirtschaft und Statistik Lyoner Str. 18 60528 Frankfurt Phone +49 69 6603-1371 E-Mail ralph.wiechers@vdma.org Monthly bulletin | Economic and Statistic Affairs September 2017