After a particularly successful 2023, with record production of 4.2 billion euros (plus 15 percent), the German woodworking machinery industry is facing a decidedly more complicated 2024. Orders-already down an average of 23 percent in 2023-have led Vdma, the woodworking machinery association, to predict a drop in production of at least 10 percent for the current year.
The situation-as explained by Vdma-varies widely among different companies in the industry. Indeed, some manufacturers are still working on back orders, while others are facing a significant drop in orders, thus resorting to short-time processing. Orders in the first quarter of 2024 remained at the previous year’s level, with no further deterioration.
Markus Hüllmann, president of the Vdma Association for Woodworking Machinery, expressed some optimism at the 2024 General Assembly in Munich, noting that the macro-trends of sustainability and decarbonization are gaining momentum, ensuring excellent prospects for the industry. Hüllmann-who expects demand to pick up in 2025-highlighted a growing portfolio of investments in some client industries.
EXPORT
German woodworking machinery exports reached 2.7 billion euros in 2023, an increase of 10 percent. However, in the first quarter of 2024, exports declined by 17 percent compared to the same period in the previous year, but despite this general decline, some markets showed positive signs: in particular the United States, China, and France, thanks to orders for equipment for the wood-based materials industry. Poland, on the other hand, suffered a dramatic 50 percent drop, while Austria maintained a steady performance.
NEW BOARD FOR VDMA
Four new board members were elected for a six-year term at the Vdma membership meeting in Munich. The new members are: Robert Falch (Minda Industrieanlagen, Minden); Maximilian Lehner (IMA Schelling Group, Lübbecke); Martin Scherrer (Siempelkamp, Krefeld); and Jürgen Schröer (Robert Bürkle, Freudenstadt).
The board also includes the following members: Gregor Baumbusch (Weinig, Tauberbischofsheim); Christian Dieffenbacher (Dieffenbacher, Eppingen); Frank Diez (Ledermann, Horb); Birgit Gros (Schiele Maschinenbau, Niederzissen); Ove Lange (Anthon, Flensburg); Stefan Möhringer (Simon Möhringer, Wiesenthal); Peter Schaeidt (Baljer & Zembrod, Altshausen); Daniel Schmitt (Homag Group, Schopfloch);Heiner Wemhöner (Wemhöner Surface Technologies, Herford).
