In May 2024, incoming orders in the mechanical and plant engineering sector in North Rhine-Westphalia were 45% down on the previous year.
Domestic demand recorded a drop of 70%. Orders from abroad fell by 15 percent. The eurozone contributed to this result with a drop of 26% and the non-eurozone with a drop of 10%.
In the more significant three-month period from March to May 2024, orders fell by 9% compared to the previous year. Domestic orders fell by 42%. Orders from abroad increased by 13%. Demand from Europe fell 7% short of the previous year’s level, while incoming orders from non-European countries increased by 23%.
The significant drop in domestic orders is partly due to the very high comparative basis of the previous year. We have been experiencing weak domestic demand for the entire year. The combination of the economic policy situation and uncertain markets is hampering investment and order placement on the customer side.