NEWS VDMA: 2024 was a “year to forget”


Orders and sales of German plastics machinery fell again last year, says the VDMA trade association. Order intake slumped by 21% while sales fell 19% compared with the previous year. “We have had three years in which hardly any new orders were placed, and


companies were pushed to their limits,” said Ulrich Reifenhäuser, chairman of VDMA’s plastics and rubber division. Short-time work was used to cushion the effects of the lower demand, and layoffs were also commonplace in the industry. However, Reifenhäuser


sees a “glimmer of hope” – as the first quarter of 2025 saw a 5% increase in orders compared to Q1 2024, though sales are down by 17% in the same period. Thorsten Kühmann


(pictured left), managing director of the association, added: “We assume that the bottom has been reached in terms of order intake. The industry will work its way up from here in small steps over the next few months.” VDMA expects 2025


sales to remain flat – if new orders can be generated in a short period of time – or decline by a further 5% if sales only take effect next year. The year 2025 will therefore be more of a transition year. � https://vdma.org


Sikora is bought by Maag


Maag Group has acquired Sikora, which makes measurement and control technologies.


It says the acquisition


accelerates its capabilities in machine learning, industrial IoT and AI-driven technologies. Sikora’s systems are used


to measure products such as pipes and tubes. “Sikora’s products


address similar customer needs in resin-related markets to ours,” said Ueli Thuerig, president of Maag Group. � www.maag.com � www.sikora.net


profilplast@profilplast.si www.pipeandprofile.com


IMAGE: LOU READE


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