Increasing orders for German manufacturers

According to the latest press release just published by VDMA, German manufacturers of plastics and rubber machinery recorded a remarkable upsurge in orders in the first half of the current year in comparison with the same period of 2009. Demand from the domestic markets grew by 26% while that from abroad was up by 117%.
The orders portfolio has expanded and now covers 6.3 months, compared with just 4 months this time last year.
On the contrary, turnover was down by 3%, mainly due to declining sales in the domestic market in comparison with the high levels recorded during the same period last year, while exports increased by 7%. However, in light of the current good trend in orders, an 11% increase by the end of the year is forecast for sales as well.
As regards the destination areas for German exports in the sector, after poor performance in the euro-zone during the first half, expectations for the rest of the year are more thoroughly positive. German manufacturers have a more optimistic outlook on the Düsseldorf rendezvous for the K, which could be an occasion to confirm the real and consolidated recovery of the sector.