ZVEI chief economist Dr. Andreas Gontermann

The German ZVEI has examined the order position for inland orders for the German electrical industry. According to this, there is broad stability in the second largest industry segment in Germany with more than 840,000 employees. “In fact, the overall orders received in November 2011 were 11% below their corresponding previous year’s level,” said the ZVEI chief economist Dr. Andreas Gontermann. The reason for this development was the decrease in foreign orders by 20% compared to the previous year.

“However, many large foreign orders were received in same month in 2010," said Dr. Gontermann. “The inland orders in November 2011 were only 1% below those of their previous year’s level.” Over the total period of January to November of the last year, the orders received grew by 8% compared to the previous year. The inland orders increased by 13% and foreign orders by 3%.

The turnover of the electrical industry in November 2011 fell by almost 1% compared to the previous year. Between January and November of the last year the industry turnover exceeded the previous year’s level by 7% The inland turnover increased by 8% and the foreign turnover by 6%. The ZVEI expects earnings of 180 Billion Euro for the whole of 2011.

The business climate in the German electrical industry in December 2011 had hardly changed compared to its previous year’s level and continued in a positive vein. 9 Out of 10 electrical companies analysed the present situation as good or stable.