Germany’s sheet forming industry is mostly pessimistic about business this year, according to a survey by its trade association, Industrieverband Blechumformung (IBU).

For 2024, more than 70% of IBU’s member companies report a drop of revenues, whilst only one in four saw an increase, Kallanish hears.

And the outlook on business this year is not very optimistic either, say 60% of the poll participants. The typical customer base, including mechanical engineering, automotive, electrical and construction industries, remains reserved in placing orders. As a consequence, almost 60% are cutting jobs or are working short-time, says IBU director Bernhard Jacobs.

Despite this, 45% of sheet metal forming companies are still willing to invest in their activities. But one-third of them plan to spend money on locations outside Germany, IBU is told.

Jacobs therefore urges that the future government “must give entrepreneurs back confidence and planning security through clear goals and effective measures.” Sheet formers, like many other manufacturing industries, primarily ask for a reduction in bureaucracy and lower electricity costs, followed by tax cuts and infrastructural investments, he says.

Another political issue addressed at the IBU’s members meeting in March in Leipzig was the increase of the minimum wage. Companies are concerned that the gap between minimum and regular wages will be too small, so that employees of the higher-wage groups will ask for increase as well.

Christian Koehl Germany