German Machine Tool Orders Rise 14% in H1 as Production Lags
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Frankfurt – October 31, 2026 -- Orders at German machine tool makers rose 12% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, following a 15% gain in the first quarter and bringing the first-half increase to 14%, according to the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association). Domestic orders climbed 16% and foreign orders 13%.
Bernhard Geis, head of economics and statistics at the VDW, said the trough is behind the industry and the upward trend is consolidating. He cautioned against an all-clear, however. The recovery starts from a low base, and project business still contributes substantially to growth, so a broad-based demand recovery can only be claimed to a limited extent.