EU Machine Tool Orders Dropped in the first 3 months

EU Machine Tool Orders Dropped in the first 3 months

European machine tool producers’ new orders declined again in the first quarter of 2019, according to the latest quarterly report by CECIMO – the European Association for the Machine Tool Industries and Related Manufacturing Technologies. Production of machine tools in Europe is expected to be flat in 2019, according to the same report.

The eight largest European machine tool manufacturing nations registered a -14% drop in orders volume during Q1, compared to comparable period of last year. Foreign demand has been affected to a larger extent (-17%) than domestic orders (-10%.)

Within individual nations, the sharpest declines in total orders were registered in the Czech Republic (-27%), Germany (-20%) and Spain (-16%). More moderate declines were recorded in Italy (-7%) and Switzerland (-4%). The U.K. saw a +15% increase.

Domestic new orders declined in Spain (-49%), Austria (-20%), Czech Republic (-12%), Germany (-9%), and Italy (-9%.)

U.K. machine-tool manufacturers reported a +10% increase in domestic demand.

Demand from foreign customers dropped sharply in Czech Republic (-31%) and Germany (-26%). U.K. manufacturers posted a +19% increase in foreign demand, while Austrian producers reported +3% growth in orders from outside the country.

According to the CECIMO report, weaker trade volumes, low business confidence, and geopolitical risks are weighing on demand for the European machine tools. Manufacturers are starting to see the consequences of slower trade on their business, the report indicated.

In its forecast for the remainder of 2019, CECIMO expects 2019 machine tool production to rise by just 2%, down from the +9% in 2018, and machine-tool consumption to grow 1-2%, compared to the 9% expansion for 2018.

EU machine tool Domestic & foreign orders 2013 - 2019.
Domestic & foreign orders 2013 – 2019. Source: CECIMO

About CECIMO

The European Association of the Machine Tool Industries and Related Manufacturing Technologies (CECIMO) is comprised of the trade associations for 15 countries, which represent approximately 1,500 business in Europe (EU, plus EFTA and Turkey), and 98% of the total machine tool production in Europe and about 33% worldwide.

Over 75% of CECIMO production is shipped abroad, and half of it is exported outside Europe.


For more information on the latest developments in the European machine-tool sector, check CECIMO’s latest Quarterly Economic and Statistical Toolbox for Q1 2019, or contact information@cecimo.eu

  • TCM International - Tool Consulting and Management Group Worcon official partner
  • Feal perfection in aluminium Worcon partner
  • Iscar
  • Schunk - competence leader for gripping systems and clamping technology signed partnership contract with Worcon B2B manufacturing platform
  • Đuro Đaković Energy official Worcon partner
  • Promming d.o.o. Worcon official partner
  • Tim teh d.o.o. Worcon official partner
  • Kemperle Worcon official partner
  • CRYO-RT Worcon official partner
  • Nieros Worcon official partner
  • Tija Industry Worcon official partner
  • Pib Extra d.o.o. Worcon official partner
  • Kowe CNC Worcon official partner
  • Biam i zavarivanje
  • Celje International Industry Fair
  • Mediteran Inox d,o.o. VAŠ EKSPERT ZA METAL!
  • Kovinoplastika Worcon official partner
  • Ing Lukac Worcon official partner
  • Tehnovar Worcon official partner
  • Marex Elektrostroj official Worcon partner
  • Development and Educational Centre for the Metal Industry Cakovec Croatia is Worcon platform official partner
  • Alas info Worcon partner in CNC technology
  • Hstec
  • Strojotehnika
  • Nejci
  • Mastel CNC Technik Worcon Partner