In March 2026, incoming orders in the NRW mechanical engineering sector were down 4% year-on-year in real terms. Domestic 1%, foreign -6%; eurozone -20%, non-eurozone 2%.
In March 2026, incoming orders in the mechanical and plant engineering sector in North Rhine-Westphalia were 4% below the previous year in real terms. Domestic business rose by 1%, while orders from abroad fell by 6% (eurozone: -20%, non-eurozone: 2%).
In the less volatile three-month period from January 2026 to March 2026, incoming orders fell by 10% compared to the previous year. Domestic demand fell by 19%, while foreign demand declined by 5%. Orders from the eurozone fell by 12% compared to the same period last year, while incoming orders from outside the eurozone were 1% lower than in 2025.
The current military conflicts and US customs policy continue to cause uncertainty, which is why the mechanical and plant engineering sector in North Rhine-Westphalia is still not feeling any economic stimulus. Incoming orders from abroad, especially from the eurozone, remain weak. This situation highlights the urgent need for action to improve the framework conditions in German and European politics. The coalition government at federal level is called upon to tackle the necessary reforms and thus set the course for our industry to move forward again in global competition. This is the fundamental basis for strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia as a business location.