Last trends in the European Machine Tool industry
Machine tools are capital-intensive investment goods with a high value-added and know-how input. Being positioned at the beginning of the industrial supply chain means that the industry is exposed to high volatility against general industry trends.As a consequence, the European industry of machine tools significantly outperformed the industry prior to 2008, when the CECIMO output reached a record level of over € 24 billion. The aftermath of the recession in 2008 was extremely severe for the machine tool builders in Europe – production in 2009 and 2010 leveled off at almost € 17 billion.
At the end of 2009 the economy experienced a sharp rebound which was reflected in the order intake. In 2011, CECIMO countries are expected to reach an output of almost € 20 billion in 2011.
Latest figures on the machine tools sector in CECIMO countries (2011) 
The recovery in the European machine tool industry takes more time than in the major competing countries. European producers are focused on high-end, customized machines with relatively longer production cycles as opposed to standard machines with short lead times.
The European machine tool industry is the leader on the global market with a highly innovative, diversified and precise offer. Our client base spans across the globe and is active in many industrial sectors, including automotive, aerospace, construction, medical, electronics, to mention a few.
Source: national associations + Gardner Group 
Global machine tools production share (2011)
Advanced machine tools produced in Europe are sought after all over the world. Apart from the European market, they are marketed successfully in the growing markets such as China, Russia, India and Brazil, but also in developed economies like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
European machine tools provide customers with ultra-sophisticated production technology. Owing to continuous progress in product development, state-of-the-art machine tools made in Europe allow customers to remain competitive on their markets.
CECIMO represents approximately 1500 industrial enterprises in Europe*, over 80% of which are SMEs. CECIMO covers more than 97% of total machine tool production in Europe and more than one third worldwide. It accounts for almost 150,000.
*Europe = EU + EFTA + Turkey
