According to the Central Association of the German Electrical and Electronics Industry (ZVEI) domestic demand in the German electrical industry is increasing. In April 2011 the number of new orders received by Germany’s second largest industry sector, which employs more than 820,000 people, was up seven percent on the previous year’s level. “With an increase of nine percent domestic orders increased unusually more than the foreign orders which had a plus of six percent”, said Dr Andreas Gontermann, chief economist of the ZVEI.
From January to April this year orders increased by 14 percent compared with the previous year. The number of domestic orders increased by eleven percent while foreign orders increased by 17 percent. In April total sales of electrotechnical and electronic products and systems exceeded the previous year’s level by six percent while total domestic and foreign sales saw equal increases. “With that the rate of expansion has returned to normal”, added Dr Gontermann. “Overall, the sector is continuing its solid growth”.
Between January and April 2011 total sales saw an increase of twelve percent compared with the previous year. At the same time domestic trade increased by eleven percent and foreign trade by 14 percent. In April the price-adjusted production of the electrical companies was nine percent more than a year ago. The entire period from January to April this year saw an increase of 16 percent compared with the previous year.
“In May the business climate in the German electrical industry remained stable”, stressed Dr Gontermann. “It is still at an extremely high level historically”. The assessment of the current business situation improved again slightly compared with April. In contrast, expectations for the coming six months fell slightly.
