Lack in order income continues



Nuremberg/Germany, May 19th, 2009 – Despite the general plunge in captial goods investment, Stone+tec that takes place from May 19 to May 23, 2009 in Nuremberg remains the most important specialist trade show for the manufacturers of natural stone working equipment and machinery, as well as of diamond tools, says Mr. Dieter Löffler, Chairman of the Natural Stone Machinery Section of VDMA (German Engineering Federation) on the occasion of the Stone+tec opening press conference in Nuremberg today.

What holds for mechanical engineering in general also applies to the manufacturers of natural stone working equipment, Mr Löffler describes the situation of his sector. The crash in orders received since the final quarter of 2008 until today is without precedence. Between January and March 2009 incoming orders for mechanical engineering dropped by a total of 42 per cent when compared to the previous year. The order backlog is steadily declining. This will result in a significant drop in sales. After several good years in succession for the sector, this crash hits the industry hard and also poses tremendous challenges, says Mr. Löffler. Today flexibility of companies is vital and has proved to be a considerable locational advantage of medium-sized companies.



Despite the current unfavourable conditions, manufacturers of natural stone working equipment in Germany are quite well positioned when it comes to technologies used and international competitiveness. At Stone+tec also, they offer top-of-the-line innovative technologies for customer-specific system solutions, intelligent manufacturing, optimal use of material. Since there is - all over the world - a need for equipment for the natural stone sector, companies are sure that they again add to strength in the long term and return to the path of growth. Companies are also sure that customers shall forward orders again, as soon as the present paralysis is over and both investors and banks shall have regained their confidence. Financing, however, remains the be-all or end-all of the industry. The sector sees good business potential especially in the former CIS States and in the Middle East.



With a workforce of almost one million people, mechanical engineering, of which I today represent VDMA, its industry association, is the largest industrial employer and also one of the leading sectors of industry in general. With an export share of more than 75 per cent, it is very much geared to other countries – that is to say, three out of every four machines are exported. Last year, the export volume reached € 147 billion; total sales amounted to € 205 billion.