Concern and major challenges for machine tools after a good end to 2024

Despite the enormous difficulties and ups and downs of the year, production grew by 7.7% and exports by 8.5%.

Orders, however, fell by 23% and more sharply in the case of the deformation sector which, although it still has an interesting portfolio, is suffering from the uncertainty of its main customer.

The first four months of the year started better than expected for start-up, but not for forming, despite the fact that the situation is very complex and the challenges are formidable for both subsectors.

After closing the final data, the advanced manufacturing technologies and machine tools sector shows a better result than anticipated in the provisional closing: turnover has grown by 7.7%, reaching 2,323.5 million euros, and in the same line, exports have increased by 8.5%, reaching 1,749.5 million euros. In both cases, these are the highest figures achieved to date. However, the enormous uncertainty, the situation in some sectors and the multiple conflicts of all kinds have already led to a significant drop in the uptake.

In the analysis by sub-sectors, we can observe a growth in the turnover of deformation (which on the other hand shows a more pronounced fall in orders) after several years of weak activity, while start-up grew slightly, with a performance in orders which, although erratic, has been more robust. Both tools (+2.9%) and components (+3.8%) ended the year with positive figures.

As we mentioned at the provisional close, the main destinations for our exports were Mexico, the United States, China, Germany and Italy. These are followed by France, Portugal, Turkey, India and the United Kingdom. It is worth highlighting the case of Mexico, which, due to a series of large facilities, for the first time leads our foreign sales, doubling the figure recorded in 2023. The United States also showed a remarkable result, with an 8% growth compared to the previous year. China saw an increase of 25% compared to 2023, although the significant drop in orders in the market makes this figure a mirage. Germany, in fourth place, maintains practically the same level of exports (+1%), while Italy, in fifth place, registers the largest contraction, with a drop of more than 50% compared to 2023. It is worth remembering that this country was coming from a period of intense activity thanks to the productive investment stimulus programmes promoted by its government.

‘The turnover figures at the end of 2024 that we show are good, but throughout the year orders have already crossed the point of inflexion that points to a 2025 of lower activity.

We are facing really turbulent times on the international scene: Europe is going through a moment of weakness in some of its emblematic industries, especially in the automotive sector, and Germany, its traditional industrial engine, is disoriented.

China, for its part, has established itself as an economic, industrial and technological superpower, an essential supplier and a formidable competitor in practically all sectors. Meanwhile, the United States, a key destination and safe haven for our manufacturers in recent years, is showing a challenging position that threatens our market interests.

And as a new player on this global stage, India is beginning to emerge strongly, determined to compete for a place in the battle for world leadership, and although it is a comparatively minor market, it can offer opportunities. Let us hope that the escalating conflict in Kashmir can be redirected in the right direction.

In spite of everything, the sector has been able to face very complex realities in the past and this time too we will do so with the same recipe as always, committed talent, innovation and state-of-the-art technology and the ability to position ourselves in the most demanding sectors’, says José Pérez Berdud, President of AFM Cluster.