The companies involved in automation technology in Germany have achieved a turnover of 15.4 bn Euro in the first 6 months of 2006. This result is 9% above that of the comparable period of the previous year. Exports rose by 10.9%. The internal market increased by 10.6% and imports rose by 15%. The number of employees increased by 1.4%.

All export regions showed similar strong growth. Europe outside the EU, with a plus of almost 16%, was out in front. This was followed by the USA with 11.2 % and South East Asia with 10.6%. Here China and India continued to count as "Emerging Markets”. The EU areas increased by 8.7% and achieved 54% of the overall value. Unchanged, the German automation industry in 2005 had a proportion of 13% of the 214 bn Euro world market whereas the German market only had a demand for 8% of the products. All the different segments of automation shared in the growth. In the long-term average the ZVEI calculates that the world market of automation technology will grow by 6% to 8% per annum.