Sensors and Measuring Technology: Subdued sales in the first quarter
The AMA Association for Sensors and Metrology surveys its 450 members quarterly on economic development. Following a successful result in the previous year with ten percent sales growth, the industry weakened in the first quarter of 2019 and reported a decline of one percent compared to the previous quarter.
This means that the sensor and measurement technology sector is feeling the effects of the weak start to German industry. As the world's leading exporter, trade conflicts and the resulting uncertainty are having a negative impact on the German mechanical engineering and automotive industries in particular. The Ministry of Economics currently expects the order situation in the industrial economy to remain subdued in the coming months.
"In uncertain times, the economy is susceptible to fluctuations. The German economy is weakening, mechanical engineering and the automotive industry are suffering from declining orders, all of which has an impact on our industry," says Thomas Simmons, AMA Managing Director, assessing the current quarterly figures. "If the order situation in the mechanical engineering sector deteriorates, then it hits the sensor and measurement technology sector with a time delay. According to their own information, the vast majority of AMA members deliver to the mechanical engineering sector and a good 30 percent to the automotive sector."
AMA members remain cautiously optimistic overall and expect four percent sales growth for the second quarter, as sensors enable innovations for nearly all user industries.
Overview of the trade fair SENSOR+TEST
Interested parties can get an overview of new trends and developments from 25 to 27 June 2019 at the trade fair SENSOR+TEST in Nuremberg. Around 560 national and international exhibitors present technical solutions in measurement, testing, control and regulation technology.
