After 2 years of decrease, European materials handling production value increased by 5.5% at €58.8bn under the combined effect of a vigorous domestic demand and dynamic repair & maintenance. Exports however fell by nearly 5% though trade balance remains largely positive (+€17bn).
“The rebound of the domestic demand is very good news though it remains at 2/3 of its peak level of 2007” said FEM Secretary General Olivier Janin. “Let us hope it is confirmed in 2015 together with the increase in production value so that we can at last record two consecutive years of growth since the 2008 crisis” he added.
For more information, see FEM 2014 statistics and their accompanying press release.
