News from Germany - Machinery & Equipment

Record sales figures are expected in the German robotics and automation sector. "We expect to reach for 2011 a new sales record of EUR 10.3 billion" stated Thilo Brodtmann, CEO of the German Engineering Federation Automation + Robotics (VDMA Robotics + Automation). Robotics and automation sector turnover in Germany will record an increase of 37 percent on 2011 figures.

The assembly and handling technology sector will surpass EUR 6 billion turnover in 2011 - recording a surplus of 42 percent. With EUR 2.7 billion, the robotics sector will experience an increase of 38 percent. In doing so, the two subs-sectors will record their highest growth rates to date. The sales volume of the image data processing sector (which witnessed above average growth of 32 percent in 2010) will increase by a further 20 percent to reach EUR 1.5 billion in 2011. All three sub-sectors are forecast to record their highest turnover volumes to date in 2011.

The continuing rise of orders recorded in the country's robotics and automation sector within the first seven months of 2011 will ensure a further turnover growth rate of seven percent - reaching EUR 11.1 billion in 2012. Although the German Engineering Federation projects a slight decrease in orders for the upcoming months, the positive automation technologies trend will continue. According to VDMA Robotics + Automation, the positive trend for robotics and automation technologies is an international one and noticeable in a number of industry branches, most specifically the automobile, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage sectors.

Source: Produktion

The German Machine Tool Builders' Association (VDW) has confirmed its forecast growth rate of 30 percent for 2011. Mr. Martin Kapp, Chairman of the VDW, stated: "The international machine tool industry is in excellent health and demand continues at a very high level."

Orders rose by 91 percent during the first seven months of 2011 - the highest on record. Booked orders in June 2011 reached a record high of 9.7 months, supporting production well into 2012. Exports increased by more than a third in the first-half of 2011 compared to the previous year.

After the significant reduction in capacity utilization in mid-2009 to below 70 percent, machine tool manufacturers were once again operating at 95 percent capacity levels in July this year. This trend is also observable in employment figures. At the end of the first half-year 2011, more than 66,000 people were employed in the sector - an increase of almost four percent on the previous year's figures.

Investment budgets for the machine tool industry's major client sectors remain high internationally; more than 14 percent in 2011 and a projected 11 percent for 2012. Large clients from the automobile and aircraft industries in particular are planning numerous strategic investments in new markets and technologies. The German machine tool industry will benefit from this positive trend and the VDW therefore expects further growth for the German machine tool industry for the upcoming year.

Source: VDMA

The Japanese Yaskawa Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots and drive technology with annual turnover of around EUR 3 billion, is investing around EUR 12.5 million in its new representative headquarters in Allershausen, near Munich. The area will cover some 14,000 square meters and is situated right by the Allershausen exit from the freeway. The new headquarters should be ready for use in August 2012.

Yaskawa's investment decision is a sign of the global market leader's intent to significantly increase share in the European industrial robot market. Mr. Koichi Takamiya, President of Yaskawa Europe GmbH, claims that the new headquarter in Germany will allow Yaskawa Corporation to be nearer to the European customer and accordingly operate in a more flexible manner.

Source: Produktion

• Article of "Produktion" from September 7, 2011 (in Germany only)

Endress+Hauser Conducta has made a total investment of more than EUR 15 million in two building projects over the past three years. These new investments demonstrate the company’s commitment to its location in Gerlingen, Germany, which can look back on several decades of successful business.

The company now has in excess of 20,000 square meters floor space at the Gerlingen site. As well as further production and office space, a new laboratory and a seminar center have been added. Dr. Manfred Jagiella, managing director of Endress+Hauser Conducta, stated that "our objective is to continue to grow and to create new jobs."

Endress+Hauser Conducta is a leading international supplier in the field of liquid analysis measurement. Numerous international product and business awards and prizes - including the Manufacturing Excellence Award 2010, TOPJOB 2011 and Best Marketing Company Award 2011 - are proof of the company's innovative powers. Endress+Hauser Conducta relies on the competence and skills of over 550 employees at their headquarters in Gerlingen near Stuttgart, Germany, and at their sites in Waldheim and Gros-Umstadt, Germany, Anaheim, California, and Suzhou, China.

Source: Automation.com

• Article of "Automation.com" from July 6, 2011

Greatview Aseptic Packaging (GA Pack), the second largest supplier of roll-fed aseptic packaging material in the world, will invest EUR 50 million in building a new European production facility in Halle (Saale), Germany. The new production site marks an important milestone in the company's international growth strategy. The facility will create approximately 110 new jobs.

Peder Berggren, Director, International Business at GA Pack, said, "With the new facility, we are significantly expanding our activities in Europe and thus the penetration of the largest regional market for aseptic packaging in the world. This commitment helps us grow our market share, further broaden our customer mix and capture part of the rapid growth in the international aseptic packaging market."

Halle was chosen for its optimal mix of competitive location factors. As Peder Berggren explains: "The production site offers excellent railroad connections and motorway access, and is located conveniently close to Leipzig airport. A significant number of professionals also live in the area. What won us over, though, were the authorities of Sachsen-Anhalt and Halle, who have shown great professionalism and eagerness to win this project. They have made it very clear from the start that, together, we can create a win-win-situation."

The production of aseptic packaging material in Germany is scheduled to start in 2012. The factory in Halle is expected to have an annual production capacity of approximately 4 billion packs by the end of 2013, and create work for at least 110 skilled employees.

Quelle: GA Pack

• Press Release of GA Pack from March 7, 2011

Shenyang Machine Tool Group (SYMG), one of the world's top three manufacturers of machine tools, has announced plans to establish its European headquarter in Berlin, Germany. Torsten Brumme, CEO of subsidiary company Schiess GmbH will become the new European CEO. According to Mr. Brumme, the project will start with between 20 and 30 people.

The new headquarters will be ready for operations at the beginning 2012, with Berlin set to serve as a development center. "The attractiveness of the city and the many universities will help us to find qualified development engineers", said Brummer. SYMGs' decision to invest in Berlin reflects the growth strategy that the corporation has set itself for Germany and the European market. "We envisage to develop joint-ventures with suppliers." Brummer added. New acquisitions of additional companies is also an option.

With turnover of EUR 1.3 billion, SYMG is one of the world's top three manufacturers of machine tools. The company employs 18,000 people and is the biggest producer of metal-cutting machine tools in China. SYMG's main sites are located in the Chinese cities of Shenyang and Kunming, as well as Aschersleben in Germany, and delivers to more than 80 countries and regions. The company's customers come from a variety of key industries, including automotive, aerospace and the railway industry.

Source: Wirtschaftswoche

• Article of "Wirtschaftswoche" from September 30, 2011 (in German only)

Sumitomo Electric Hartmetall GmbH plans to expand its production site in Lauchheim, in Germany, with a new development and demonstration center. The company plans to invest around EUR 5 million in new buildings and equipment for training, demonstration and testing activity purposes.

This investment marks an important milestone in the company's international growth strategy. This is a sign of the great importance that Sumitomo attaches to Germany and the European market. The company claims that the new investment in Germany will not only secure existing workplaces, but will also further strengthen the Sumitomo brand.

Source: Produktion

• Article of "Produktion" from January 25, 2011