All sub-segments of electrical automation technology are showing strong growth: sensor technology recorded a 32% increase in orders and a 23% increase in sales. Control technology recorded growth of 42% in incoming orders and 24% in sales. The Other Products segment is benefiting the most from the upturn in the mechanical and plant engineering sector, with growth of 47% in demand and 24% in sales. In all three areas, demand from abroad exceeds domestic demand.

The industry expects the recovery to continue in the coming year. "For 2022, we anticipate an increase in turnover of 5% compared to 2021," forecasts Jörg Freitag, Chairman of the VDMA Electrical Automation Association. This is due in particular to catch-up effects from orders that will not be realized until next year. However, there are still uncertainties: the further development of material availability is a major concern for the industry.

Jörg Freitag, VDMA: "We expect sales to increase by 5% in 2022 compared to 2021."

© VDMA

5On March 1, 2021, the VDMA founded the "Wireless Communications for Machines" working group (AG WCM). There were 81 founding members from the fields of mechanical and plant engineering, automation technology and information and communication technology. The working group, which among other things serves as a platform for the application-oriented exchange of experience, now has 98 members. "More than ever, cooperation between providers of wireless networking technologies and machine manufacturers is necessary in order to maintain the innovative strength and competitiveness of mechanical and plant engineering on the global market," comments Jörg Freitag.

In addition, the VDMA Electrical Automation Association is publishing the guide "Creating value from machine data 4.0 - The practical guide for SMEs". The guide provides instructions and tools for tackling projects together with partners: An analysis tool with eleven worksheets as well as easy-to-understand catalogs as a source of ideas and reference works support the selection of suitable application scenarios, the assessment of benefits, costs and risks as well as the processing of fields of action.