Trade spats jolt German sensor market in Q1 2019

Orders incoming, however, are stable, showing a rise of one percent. 

First quarter weakness in German industry is cited as the culprit. As one of the world’s leading exporters, the German engineering and automotive industries have been adversely impacted by the US/China trade spat and Brexit.

The German Ministry of Economics predicts a continued decrease in orders incoming for the next months. 

“In rocky times, the economy is susceptible to fluctuations,” says Thomas Simmons, general manager of the AMA Association, commenting on the current quarterly figures. “The economy slackens, the engineering and automotive industry suffer from a decrease in orders. That, in turn, affects our sensor industry. Whenever, orders incoming in construction and mechanical engineering slump, sensors and measurement are impacted, albeit with a certain delay. A large majority of the AMA member enterprises supply the engineering industry as well as thirty percent for automotive, according to their own figures.”  

The AMA members continue to be cautiously optimistic and expect a four pern cent growth in turnover in the second quarter, as the sensor industry enables innovations in practically all application branches.

An overview of current trends and developments can be obtained at the Sensor + Test trade fair in Nuremberg (June 25-27). About 560 national and international exhibitors will present their solutions in measuring, testing, and control technology.