Mechanical Engineering

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

VDMA presents China position
The wave of China strategies continues – with similar content in different weightings. On Tuesday, the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) presented its own position paper. The content essentially reflects the strategies of the Federation of German Industries and the German Ministry of Economics. China is classified in the usual way as a “competitor, partner and […] continue reading →
Xiaolong Hu – culture shock Hamburg
Xiaolong Hu has learned that sometimes things just fall into place. “I chose German at the time because of a combination of sympathy and chance,” he recalls of the pioneering choice of a so-called small language. Today, this term still makes him smirk.In 1988, the self-employed management consultant and China coach was faced with the […] continue reading →
VDMA demands urges lifting quarantine regulations
The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) is demanding that the quarantine requirement for vaccinated individuals entering China be lifted. It also criticizes the restrictions that come with the country’s zero-Covid strategy. “This is not only a huge nuisance with economic consequences for our member companies. China is also cutting into its own flesh with this restrictive […] continue reading →
Wuhan’s heartfelt wish for many new Gerichs
No developing country in the world has received as much support from Germany in the form of expertise, technology transfer and all kinds of aid as the People's Republic has since the beginning of its reforms. Were we too naive in the face of a potential systemic rival? continue reading →
‘I hope that the Chinese government will not allow a major economic downturn’
Ulrich Reichert has been China CEO of Wirtgen Group, a manufacturer of road construction machinery, for 32 years. Reichert is currently experiencing one of the most severe economic downturns he has had to manage in his long career. Sales in the infrastructure sector have recently slumped considerably. The last time he experienced a similar crisis was ten years ago, after economic stimulus programs were phased out as a result of the global financial crisis. Frank Sieren spoke with Reichert. continue reading →
IfW study: German companies face dangerous dependence on China
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) is raising the alarm: Germany is becoming too economically dependent on China. That is the conclusion of a study published on Monday titled “Reluctant US vs Ambitious German Direct Investment in China – the Tale of Two Strategies.” IfW trade researcher Rolf Langhammer said on Monday, “German […] continue reading →
Carsten Liske – in love with technology and enthusiastic about China
If you ask Carsten Liske what he gained from his time in China, he always answers with the same flippant phrase: “My son.” His son, born in China, is now nine, and Liske is back working in Germany. Since March, he has been CEO at the mechanical engineering supplier Chiron in Tuttlingen, where he is […] continue reading →
Mechanical engineering companies expect less business
German machinery manufacturers are bracing themselves for more difficult times in business in China. “We expect the business environment in China to become more challenging for a number of companies,” Karl Haeusgen, President of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), told Reuters on Tuesday. In particular, the traditional export business from Germany to China will lose […] continue reading →
Mechanical engineering: China overtakes Germany as top exporter
Germany is continuing to lose ground to Chinese mechanical engineering companies. China’s exports of machinery and equipment will increase by almost 31 percent this year to 296 billion dollars. In contrast, German machinery manufacturers’ exports will grow by only 13 percent to $249 billion, as calculations in a recent study by Germany Trade & Invest […] continue reading →
Xia Xu-Fees – Consultant, a dream job
It was her father who sparked Xia Xu-Fees’ interest in Germany. He had studied mechanical engineering and would always tell her that Germany was number one in this field. His daughter’s mentality seemed rather German to him – so straightforward and direct. He was probably right about that, Xu-Fees says with a laugh: “I just […] continue reading →
VDMA: Germany lost its championship title
Germany’s mechanical engineering companies have lost their title as world export champion to China, according to their own calculations. An initial estimate by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for last year shows that the Chinese share of international sales was 15,8 percent, while German mechanical engineering exports accounted for 15,5 percent of the trade volume.Before […] continue reading →
Mechanical engineering benefits from rapid recovery
After six years, China has overtaken the USA again as the largest foreign market for German mechanical engineering companies. This is according to data published by the VDMA industry association on Wednesday. The reason for this is also the Covid crisis: While other markets such as France and the USA were still suffering considerably from […] continue reading →
Reifenhäuser plans investment in China
The machine manufacturer Reifenhäuser from the German city of Troisdorf near Bonn plans to expand in China. The background to this is the Covid pandemic: The company’s machines can produce filter materials, such as those used in respiratory protection masks, among other things. “The world’s highest production share for nonwoven applications is definitely in China,” […] continue reading →
Talks in times of sanctions
Sino-German Government Consultations: The recently imposed entry bans on parliamentarians and academics should be the occasion for clear words from Berlin, politicians, and experts demand. Anything else would be a sign of weakness – and thus not a good negotiating tactic. continue reading →
Mechanical engineers complain about quarantine hotels without windows
How reasonable are China's COVID-related entry restrictions? The industry association VDMA fears that the quarantine and the need for special permits will remain in place for a long time. The association suspects Beijing wants to give Chinese competitors an advantage. But there are initial indications that entry conditions will be eased. And it is usually possible to negotiate certain quarantine details in China even now. continue reading →