German plastics machinery manufacturers are doing well, according to the half-yearly survey conducted by plastics and rubber machinery association VDMA Kunststoff- und Gummimaschinen (KuG, Frankfurt / Germany; http://kug.vdma.org). Global demand remains high for machines for processing and finishing plastics and rubber, with the only exception being Latin America.

However, KuG is seeing the first signs of a slowdown. Fewer German companies rated the general economic development as “positive” than at the beginning of 2018. In addition, 21% of survey participants now expect a deteriorating sales trend. Although the association does not provide a comparative figure, it stresses that the proportion of pessimists is on the rise.

Most companies, however, do not cite the order situation as a reason for this. Only 12% of those surveyed expressed such problems. Rather, it is the shortage of skilled workers and the “time-consuming procurement of materials.”

According to KuG, once personnel and supply problems have been resolved, nothing would stand in the way of rising sales. Consequently, 62% of the participating companies are planning to hire additional staff in the second half of 2018. VDMA considers this a solid proportion.