Development in the world electrical market and in the German electrical market 1995-2005 (incl. Software and services, source ZVEI). [Click for enlarged view]

According to ZVEI – Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie in Germany, the German electrical market increased its turnover this year by almost 1.5% to 165 b Euro. This moderate growth was carried exclusively by exports, which, by September, increased by a good 5% to approximately 100 b Euro. Internal business was substantially below that of the world market which, in this year, increased by 5% to 6% to a turnover volume of 2,600 b Euro.

The total volume of the German electrical market is still clearly below the level of the year 2000. The only exception in this year is the entertainment electronics business. On average the ZVEI expects a growth in turnover in this sector of over 10%. The world football championships, the further expansion of digital terrestrial DVB-T, the progress in the digital broadband cabling and the start of high definition TV (HDTV) increases the manufacturer’s confidence in the coming year.

However, according to the industry association, the whole electrical industry will not improve much in the coming year. The world market is still “underpowered” and the exports in 2006 will still be the main earner; yet private use will stagnate unchanged. However, there is a moderate improvement in equipment investment in Germany. “We expect a good two-percentage growth in the coming year,” forecasts Gotthard Graß, managing director of ZVEI.