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"Competition is fierce," Frank Konrad, head of VDMA's robotics
and automation department, said in comments published on Monday.
"Many Chinese suppliers have grown strongly in their home
markets and are now pushing into Europe."
Germany, known for its engineering might that once pioneered
many technologies, is now dealing with an economic downturn
triggered by high energy costs and interest rates, as well as
under-investment due to red tape.
Foreign orders are the main driver for the German robotic and
automation industry's growth, Konrad said. Domestic orders fell
15% year on year in the first four months of this year, while
those from abroad increased by 21%.
Major players in the sectors are Chinese-controlled factory
robot maker Kuka and Siemens AG's industrial automation
business.
The VMDA has halved its annual sales outlook for the sector,
according to data seen by Reuters. It now expects 2% growth to
16.5 billion euros ($17.7 billion) in sales in 2024, roughly at
last year's level.
In 2023, the sector saw sales grow by 13% on the back of a
post-pandemic uptake in orders.
This year's sales so far are still supported by the strong order
intake of the previous year, Konrad added.
($1 = 0.9346 euros)
(Reporting by Klaus Lauer, Writing by Andrey Sychev, Editing by
Rachel More and Ludwig Burger)
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