German machinery makers start 2006 with confidence

German plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers are confident about sales in the first half of 2006, according the VDMA trade association. Incoming orders within the past few months have been better than expected, with the increase in orders coming from all regions.

The value of incoming orders in 2005 declined by 4%, less than the 8% fall predicted in mid-2005 (PRW.com 1 July 2005). Demand from eastern Europe and North America in 2005 has been developing strongly, while domestic incoming orders remained flat, VDMA said.

It said last year was also characterised by a slight decline in demand from abroad – the first for years – and accompanied by a large decline in export deliveries from the record level achieved in 2004. Deliveries to Asia, in particular to China, suffered the most. Full 2005 results for the industry will be made available by the VDMA in the middle of this year.