German mechanical and plant engineering received 14 percent more orders in September than a year earlier, adjusted for prices. This was reported by the industry association VDMA, as Finanznachrichten wrote based on Dow Jones and Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten based on dpa, both on 4 November.

What the VDMA reports

Orders from Germany itself were 22 percent higher, those from abroad 11 percent. A large part of the increase comes from a so-called base effect. According to VDMA chief economist Johannes Gernandt, September 2025 was the worst month of that entire year. Orders fell by 19 percent at the time. Compared with such a weak month, an increase quickly looks high.

Over the first nine months of 2026 the picture is calmer. Orders were 5 percent higher than in the same period last year. Orders from Germany were level with last year, those from abroad 7 percent higher. The difference between markets stands out: orders from euro countries were down 5 percent, those from countries outside the euro area up 13 percent. In the third quarter, orders were 4 percent higher in total.

Production follows later

So orders are rising, but production is not yet. The VDMA still expects production to shrink in 2026, for the fourth year in a row. For 2027 the association expects growth of 3 percent. Gernandt calls the recovery still fragile. Earlier we saw the same cautious picture in the quarterly VDMA survey and in the purchasing managers' index for German industry.

What does this mean for machine builders?

Orders coming in now will become the machines that have to be built and delivered in 2027. For Dutch machine builders and suppliers who deliver to Germany, this is the moment when designs are fixed. In many projects the cable routing slides to the end, when the mechanics and controls are already finished. That is exactly when a cable carrier turns out not to fit or another cable has to be added. Three points that help:

Choose the cable carrier in the design phase. With the travel length, installation space and cable list you can determine the type early on. The Cable carrier configurator shows in a few minutes which types fit.
Leave room for later. During a project, machines often get extra sensors or an extra axis. A carrier chosen right at the limit will then no longer fit. With the calculation tool for the fill level you quickly see how much space is left.
Include the cables in the choice. A carrier delivered complete with cables saves a step in your own assembly. With the Cable finder you find the right cable by type, cores and travel length.

What Wisman Techniek does

Wisman Techniek is the exclusive dealer of Tsubaki Kabelschlepp in the Netherlands. We supply standard series from our own stock in Ruurlo, usually within 1 to 3 working days. In our own workshop we assemble carriers to length, with the cables fitted if you wish. Working on a machine for the German market? Send your drawing or the axis data with a quote request. We check the choice free of charge.

Calculate it yourselfCable carrier configuratorCalculate, select and assemble a cable carrierOpen the cable carrier configurator