China may replace the US as the main export market for German machinery in 2003

China may replace the US as the main export market for German machinery in 2003

VDMA, the organisation that represents plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers in Germany, has said that China is now the main export market for its members, based on statistics for the first nine months of 2003. Exports of German machines to China are likely to remain healthy: Krauss-Maffei won a huge order last October for more than 300 extruders, which will be delivered to Dalian Shide this year.

Bernd Knoerr, managing director of VDMA’s plastics and rubber division, said: “It’s difficult to say whether this will last into the medium or long term.” Overall, the VDMA expects total German machinery sales to rise by 5% in 2003, with new orders up between 8% and 10%.