Published on: February 1, 2025 / update from: February 1, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Robot revolution in danger? Germany's automation threatens the downward trend according to the VDMA - Image: Xpert.digital
VDMA forecasts: Is the future of robotics in danger?
The challenges of German robotics and automation: a wake -up call for innovation and change
The German robotics and automation industry, once a symbol of engineering and technological excellence, is in a phase of upheaval. The recent forecasts of the VDMA industry association draw a dark picture: for 2025, a decline in sales is expected from nine percent to 13.8 billion euros after a minus of six percent to 15.2 billion euros in the previous year. These numbers are more than just mere statistics; They are a wake -up call that underlines the need for profound change and strategic realignment within the industry and its framework conditions.
The causes of the downward trend: more than just economic fluctuations
The current difficulties of the German robotics and automation industry cannot be attributed to temporary economic fluctuations. Rather, it is a combination of structural problems that require comprehensive rethinking. An important factor is the excessive dependence on the automotive industry. This traditionally important customer group in the industry had to accept a significant decline in domestic orders by 16 percent in 2024. This development illustrates how vulnerable German robotics are for the heights and depths of individual industries and how urgently a diversification of the sales markets is required.
Another stumbling block is the competitive disadvantages due to high costs and regulatory hurdles at the Germany location. The comparatively high wage costs, the complex approval processes and the bureaucratic requirements make it difficult for companies to keep up in global competition. In addition, the demand for demand abroad has also tightened the situation. While order incoming from the euro zone rose by 44 percent, exports to all other regions recorded a decline of 13 percent, which led to a total decline in foreign orders by 2 percent. These figures make it clear that German robotics not only have to struggle with homemade problems, but also lose ground in international competition.
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A look at the order situation: The facts speak for themselves
The order situation in 2024 provides a detailed picture of the challenges with which the German robotics and automation industry is confronted. While domestic orders decreased by 16 percent, the foreign orders fell by 2 percent. Only the exports to the euro zone recorded a positive development with an increase of 44 percent. This underlines that German robotics have to rethink their dependence on individual sales markets and strive for new strategic partnerships. However, exports outside the euro zone suffered a significant break -in of 13 percent. This shows the need to develop new strategies and sales concepts in these markets in order to regain trust and demand.
The demands of the VDMA: A call to action
Dr. Dietmar Ley, Chairman of the VDMA, has urged reforms that are responsible for both companies and politics. He emphasized that the companies accelerate their innovation cycles, become more agile and have to optimize their cost structures. This demand aims to strengthen the innovative strength and competitiveness of German robotics companies and to enable them to react faster to the changing market requirements.
At the same time, Ley appealed to politics to reduce the obstacles to regulatory and create more competitive framework conditions. It is crucial that politics sets the right course for the future by reducing bureaucracy, promoting research and development and supporting companies in coping with structural change. Despite the current challenges, the association emphasized that long -term growth trends such as the digitization of industry and the energy transition were intact. The industry is therefore quite able to take on a leading role in the global market again. It is crucial for this that the right decisions are now made and the necessary changes are initiated.
Strategic industry initiatives: cooperation and innovation as a key to success
In order to restore the competitiveness of German robotics and automation, extensive strategic initiatives are required. An important starting point is the formation of consortia for key technologies. These cross -sector cooperation enable to scale innovative applications such as fuel cell production and accelerate the development of new technologies. Such a procedure would allow German companies to bundle their strength and together to take a stronger position in global competition.
Another important component is the creation of a data ecosystem ("Manufacturing-X"). Such a platform would simplify the integration of artificial intelligence into the production and promote the development of intelligent and networked production processes. With data exchange and access to comprehensive information, companies could make their processes more efficient and develop innovative products. This would be a big step forward to secure the competitiveness of the German robotic industry.
The diversification of the sales markets is equally important. The excessive dependence on the automotive industry has proven to be dangerous. Therefore, new growth areas such as laboratory automation, logistics and renewable energies have to be developed. This diversification would enable German robotics to increase their resilience and reduce their dependence on individual industries. The development of new fields of application would also boost the growth of the industry and create new jobs.
Education and research funding: Investment in the future
A sustainable robotics and automation industry needs highly qualified specialists. In order to meet the increasing need for experts, a doubling of the study places in robotics and automation is essential by 2028. This measure would ensure that enough young talents are trained to carry the industry in the coming years.
In addition, the introduction of a mandatory school subject is of crucial importance. This subject would arouse interest in technical professions at a young age and create the basis for a later career in robotics and automation. Early qualification is the key to gaining future specialists who shape tomorrow's innovations.
At the same time, it is necessary to expand top research in robotic security, human-robot collaboration and artificial intelligence (AI). By researching these topics, German robotics can take a pioneering role and set new standards for the safe and efficient use of robots in industry and other areas. The promotion of research and development is the basis for technological progress and the creation of innovative products and processes.
Political and economic framework: the course for success
Politics play a crucial role in creating a competitive environment for German robotics. An important step is to reduce regulatory hurdles. This measure would reduce location costs and make it easier for companies to produce and invest in Germany. Bureaucratic requirements should therefore be checked and simplified to make it easier for the company to get started and to ensure the necessary flexibility.
In addition, investment incentives are essential for users to increase the automation rate. Companies should be encouraged by tax incentives or grants to invest in new technologies and automation solutions. A higher automation rate is crucial to increase competitiveness and increase productivity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to create cheaper financing conditions, especially for start-ups and small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). Access to capital is often difficult for these companies, and improved financing would enable them to implement innovative projects and invest in new technologies.
Global competitiveness: accept the challenge
The German robotics and automation industry must face the challenge of global competition. The state -subsidized competition from Asia and North America represents a serious threat. Therefore, industrial policy answers are necessary to ensure the competitiveness of German companies.
In addition, export funding must be strengthened, especially for the non-eurozone markets, which recorded a drop in demand in 2024. German companies have to develop new strategies and sales concepts in order to be successful again in these markets.
Corporate reforms: strengthen agility and innovative strength
The companies themselves must also make their contribution to restoring the competitiveness of German robotics. An important measure is the acceleration of innovation cycles through agile processes and cost optimization. Companies have to react faster to market changes, develop innovative products and make their production processes more efficient. The willingness to change is the key to being successful in a dynamic market.
Another important step is to expand the service robotic. Germany should strive for global technology leadership in this area. The development of service robots is a growth market with great potential. Here German companies are a way to stand out from the competition and to open up new markets.
The future of German robotics: an appeal to all actors
The German robotics and automation industry stands in front of a fork in the road. The combination of internal adjustments and political support is the key to overcome the challenges and use the long -term growth trends. The digitization of industry and the energy transition offer enormous opportunities that need to be taken. It is now up to all actors to take the necessary steps together to lead the German robotics back on the way of success. The future of German robotics will significantly depend on whether it is possible to accept the current challenges and to set the course for a successful future. This is the only way to regain German robotics its former top position and continue to be a load -bearing pillar of the German economy in the future.
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