In the second quarter of 2025, incoming orders in the German machine tool industry remained at the previous year's level. Domestic orders fell by 14%, while orders from abroad rose by 7%. From January to June 2025, incoming orders fell by 5%.
The ongoing uncertainty caused by US customs policy and the many crises is making investors wait and see
Domestic demand fell by 22%, while foreign orders were up 4% on the previous year. "The main impetus in the first half of the year came from Europe, while demand in Germany has not yet picked up," commented Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of the VDW, German Machine Tool Builders' Association, on the result. The continuing uncertainty caused by the US tariff policy and the many crises is making investors wait and see. The currently negotiated tariff rate of 15 percent, as long as it applies, increases costs and significantly impairs German exports to the largest market, the USA. "Although the US industry urgently needs our machines because there are no comparable offerings in the country, small and medium-sized US companies in particular will not be able to pay the higher prices," says Heering. However, the VDW expects the prospects in Germany to brighten in the medium term.
