Ulrich Krauss, Chairman of the Industry Association of Medical Technology at Spectaris

In 2008, the 1250 German medical technology companies achieved an increase in sales of 2.5 % to 17.8 billion Euro. However, sales declined by 1% in the first quarter of 2009. Yet the industry has a positive point of view for the current year. Ulrich Krauss, Chairman of the Industry Association of Medical Technology at Spectaris forecast a growth of 1%. The partly clearl increases of the past years slowed down in 2008. The positive results are the result of a growth in exports of 3.5% to 11.5 billion Euro. Locally only a small growth was achieved to almost 6.3 billion Euro.

The medical technology industry employed almost 100,000 people in the past year which was 4.4 % more than in the previous year. The industry expects a slight increase in export business that will compensate for the expected sales downturn in local business. In the export markets there are currently large enquiry impulses especially from the regions of the Middle and Near East. Here, Krauss expects an increase of 4%. the Association expects sales decreases especially in Asia ( -3.5%) and Eastern Europe (-7%). The economic crisis is especially noticeable in both regions.