Machining centres and transfer machines market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the German market for machining centres and transfer machines expanded significantly, with physical volume rising from 4 473 to 6 192 units and market value increasing from $1.5 billion to $2.2 billion. This growth was primarily driven by rising automation levels in manufacturing, increased adoption of machine vision-based quality control systems, and growing demand from the automotive industry, particularly for electric motor housings in electric vehicles.

A sharp contraction followed in 2020, with market volume dropping to 3 231 units and value falling to $1.4 billion. The market began to recover in 2021, and by 2022, its value had reached $1.1 billion, supported by a continued industry focus on automation and efficiency gains, especially in transfer machines, which enhanced productivity and reduced errors in industrial settings.

In 2023, market volume recovered further to 5 071 units, though the value slightly declined to $970 million, while the broader German machine tool industry reported production worth approximately €8.2 billion. Entering 2024, the market faced challenges from weaker demand and geopolitical uncertainties, with machine building capacity utilization around 79%. However, ongoing trends like digitalization, Industry 4.0 integration, and sustained demand from the automotive and aerospace sectors contributed to a modest market value increase to $1.1 billion.

Production machining centres and transfer machines in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Germany's production of machining centres and transfer machines declined. In 2019, output reached its peak at 4 092 million US dollars, but then fell sharply to 2 877 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 29.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

After two years of increases, Germany's production of machining centres and transfer machines in terms of units declined. In 2019, output peaked at 8 091 units, with a notable 20.2% increase that year. However, in 2020, production fell to 5 494 units, down 32.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

Exports machining centres and transfer machines from Germany

Exports in kind, unit

Exports of machining centres and transfer machines from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totalled 3 997 units, representing a 22.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 36.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of machining centres and transfer machines in kind were distributed across numerous countries. China accounted for 15.5% of exports, the United States for 8.6%, and Italy for 7.6%. Together, these three countries made up just 31.7% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of machining centres and transfer machines from Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports reached their highest value at 3 004 million US dollars, with a 5.1% increase that year. By 2020, exports had fallen to 1 770 million US dollars, a dramatic 28.7% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of machining centres and transfer machines in value terms remained widely scattered across countries. China accounted for 24.5% of exports, the United States for 12.2%, and Italy for 6.2%. Combined, these three partners represented only 42.8% of total export flows, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports machining centres and transfer machines to Germany

Imports in kind, unit

Imports of machining centres and transfer machines into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, import volume peaked at 3 838 units, with a 22.0% increase that year. By 2020, imports had fallen to 1 734 units, a 47.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 44.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

During 2017-2020, Japan was the largest supplier of machining centres and transfer machines to Germany in kind, accounting for 17.6% of imports. Asia, not elsewhere specified, contributed 15.5%, and South Korea 15.2%. Together, these three sources made up 48.3% of total imports in kind, with the remaining 51.7% spread across many other partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of machining centres and transfer machines into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their highest value at 638 million US dollars, with a 22.6% increase that year. By 2020, imports had fallen to 320 million US dollars, a steep 43.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland was the largest supplier of machining centres and transfer machines to Germany in value terms, accounting for 20.6% of imports. Japan followed with 19.6%, and the United Kingdom with 10.2%. Together, these three countries formed 50.5% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020