FEM statistics show that growth experienced in 2014 was confirmed in 2015. The European materials handling production value increased by 5.1% at €61.5bn. Exports although grew, though more modestly.
2015 confirmed the trends observed in 2014 though the explanations are slightly different. Whereas repair and maintenance played an important role in 2014 (+7%), this time the growth of the production value is mostly the result of an EU market increase. Indeed, repair and maintenance decreased by 2% and exports grew modestly. So concretely, European customers are investing more in materials handling equipment. This is also shown by the fact that the European domestic demand increased sharply (+13% at €31.9bn). It is now almost back at its 2009 level, though still 30% less than before the 2008 crisis.
The increase in the domestic demand however mostly benefited European manufacturers. Indeed, although imports increased by 12% at €7.3bn their share in domestic demand remained stable for the fourth year in a raw at 23%. At the same time, exports increased (+1.5%, €27.7bn). However, with the stronger domestic demand, the share of exports in the production value decreased slightly (now at 53%, same level as in 2011). Trade surplus reached an excellent €20.3bn.
“We can be very satisfied to see that the growth of the European materials handling production value experienced in 2014 was confirmed last year”, said FEM Secretary General Olivier Janin. “What is even more satisfying is that such a growth is mostly sustained by a stronger domestic demand, which is the sign that our local customers are investing more.”
FEM 2015 statistics are available on the General Publications page.
NOTE: due to corrections on Eurostat figures, FEM has applied corrections on its figures from 2005 to 2014.
