The sales forecast for the German robotics and automation industry is minus nine per cent. The VDMA therefore sees an urgent need for action in Germany. Demand impetus would only come from the eurozone.
Robotics and automation in Germany has lost competitiveness: For 2025, the industry is forecasting a total turnover of minus nine per cent to 13.8 billion euros. Last year, companies closed with a turnover of minus six per cent at 15.2 billion euros.
„The sales trend in the robotics and automation industry signals a need for action. The downward trend is not based solely on cyclical fluctuations in demand, but now has very tangible structural causes: These include, for example, an excessive dependence of the robotics and automation sector on the German automotive industry. Added to this are weaknesses in competitiveness, which business and politics must address with consistent reforms.“
Dr Dietmar Ley, Chairman of VDMA Robotics + Automation.
Incoming orders collapse
The economic and structural weaknesses in incoming orders were not only evident in Germany in 2024, with a year-on-year decline of 16 per cent. Growth impetus from abroad also fails to materialiseDemand shrank by two per cent. The only bright spot for German robotics and automation was exports to the eurozone: Incoming orders from the euro countries rose by an impressive 44 per cent in 2024. In contrast, foreign demand excluding the eurozone countries was 13 per cent below the previous year's figure.
„Companies in the German robotics and automation industry must Focus on your own competitiveness“, says Dr Dietmar Ley. „The priority is to step up the pace of innovation. We also need to be more agile in order to react more quickly to customer demand and set ourselves apart from competitors from abroad. Finally, we also need to bring costs down to a competitive level.“
A resolute reform agenda is also needed from politicians, demands Dr Ley: „We can no longer afford location disadvantages such as excessive regulation and too high a cost burden in international competition. The German economy needs reliable framework conditions, that support growth and do not slow it down,“ he emphasises. Then robotics and automation could also shine again. Because: „All long-term growth trends for our industry of the future are still intact. We need to set the right course now“ emphasises the VDMA trade association chairman.
Source: VDMA