The manufacturing atmosphere could improve. The global industrial economic downturn, geopolitical tensions and trade disputes, as well as structural challenges, are putting increasing pressure on European industrial manufacturers. It is no wonder that Germany, the world’s third largest mechanical engineering power, will also be severely affected. Overall weak demand and the Chinese economic slowdown are putting a strain on this export-intensive sector in Germany.
Cautious economic forecasts are also reflected in the latest figures from the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association): orders from German manufacturers fell 23% in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period last year. “The current order situation remains tough,” explains Dr. Heering. VDW Managing Director Markus Heering says: “The news from the automotive industry is worrying. It remains one of our most important customers.” However, last year the German machine tool industry delivered around 27% of its production to the automotive and automotive supplies industry, which is 16% lower than four years ago. The transition to vehicles with electric drives will lead to significant reductions in investments in machining technology, according to VDW.
Focus on new customer segments – EMO offers an ideal platform
At the same time, other customer target groups are also becoming the focus of machine tool manufacturers. With a share of around 30%, mechanical engineering has become the most important customer sector for the first time. These include companies from the tool and die manufacturing industry, the machine tool industry itself, manufacturers of agricultural machinery and components such as hydraulics, pneumatics and drive technology. In addition, aerospace, electrical engineering and metal production are becoming increasingly important for machine tool manufacturers. The proportion of business from rail vehicle construction, energy technology, precision engineering and medical technology is also continuing to grow.
As the world’s leading trade fair for production technologies, EMO is the perfect platform for providers of metal processing solutions to serve these customers. From 22 to 26 September 2025, the “Showcase of Innovation” will not only look back on 50 years of success. EMO will provide an approach to tomorrow’s production with three focus topics: automation, digitalization and sustainability. The application of various manufacturing technologies in various industries will attract interested visitors from all over the world to Hannover. Exhibitor interest in the upcoming anniversary fair is already growing. By the provisional registration deadline in early December, more than 1,200 companies had already registered. For the organizer VDW, this is a clear signal that the EMO trade fair is a model of success, even in the crisis, as it has always been.
This is also acknowledged by Dr. Thorsten Schmidt, CEO of the Nürtingen-based Heller Group: “EMO has been an essential place of inspiration and exchange for us for decades and is a real milestone for our industry.” It makes it possible to strengthen long-standing partnerships and forge new connections. “Experts from all over the world come together here to discuss groundbreaking innovations, current challenges and tomorrow’s trends,” Schmidt emphasizes. “We are particularly pleased with the opportunity to present our latest developments to a global audience and actively shape the future of production technology.”
Exhibitors see great potential in diversification
One of the exhibitors at EMO 2025 is Supfina, a manufacturer of surface finishing systems from Wolfach in Baden-Württemberg. The company sees great potential in new growth areas such as e-mobility and wind power, as well as in sustainable production solutions. “Thanks to our broad positioning and diversified customer base, our sales revenue remains on track, says Christoph Siegel, Managing Director of Supfina.
In order to counter the effects of structural change, particularly in the automotive industry, the company is investing in the digitalization and automation of its processes. “We see this as a long-term opportunity to increase our efficiency and strengthen our competitiveness,” Siegel continues. This also includes safeguarding success factors such as our decades of surface finishing expertise, high quality standards and a strong culture of innovation. In this respect, Germany remains a key location for Supfina. Investments in technology and training in Germany form the basis for global success.
EMO traditionally offers Supfina a perfect setting for presenting technological innovations. The company will be presenting a completely new machine concept at the anniversary EMO to be held in the fall of 2025. The aim is to appeal to a broad customer base.
Germany as a success factor
For Datron, a solution provider for industrial milling and dispensing, “Engineered, Designed and Made in Germany” is also the basis for delivering quality. For the company from the south of the German state of Hesse, this is the prerequisite for retaining satisfied customers worldwide and acquiring new customers. “Despite regulatory challenges and political hurdles, we are clearly committed to Germany as a business location and are investing around 40 million euros in a new technology complex,” explains Michael Daniel, Chairman of the Board of Management of Datron AG. The new facility will bring the company’s four local sites with a total of 300 employees under one roof. The local shortage of skilled workers sometimes makes it difficult to recruit and retain well-qualified employees in some areas. “But we remain committed to young regional talent and a strong company culture,” reports Daniel. “We are therefore still well positioned in the competition for talent.”
However, the difficult economic situation in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is having a noticeable impact. The ongoing structural change in the automotive industry is having an indirect impact on Datron’s customers from the affected automotive supplier industry in particular. Although the company is fortunately not entirely dependent on this important industry, a decline of 4% in turnover and 18% in incoming orders was recorded in the first half of 2024. This makes it crucial to tap into new market segments. EMO is a central platform for Datron to present both new and proven technology milestones and to obtain direct feedback from customers and users. At the last EMO, the main focus was on “Optimizing Efficiency”, in particular on increasing the efficiency of existing machines and new automation solutions. And at the upcoming trade fair, the company will address existing and potential new customers with enhanced technologies and improved functionalities for multi-axis milling.