The mechanical and plant engineering industry in Germany is expecting a decline in production in 2025 and, for the first time in many years, the sector is facing a slight reduction in jobs. In order to strengthen Germany and Europe as a business location, the VDMA is calling for a political U-turn.
In the run-up to the 2025 Bundestag elections, the Bundesverband Druck und Medien e.V. is publishing a position paper for the print and media industry entitled ‘Ohne uns macht keiner ein Kreuz!’. The position paper identifies nine specific areas of action that call for a sustainable economic policy and decisive political action.
With a joint declaration and demonstration at the Reichstag building in Berlin on the occasion of the vote of confidence, 16 business associations called for an ‘economic election campaign’. The print and media associations are part of the initiative and support the declaration.
The antitrust authorities in Germany, Austria and Poland have approved the takeover of the Heytex Group’s core business by Freudenberg Performance Materials, the parent company of Mehler Texnologies. This means that Heytex’s core business with three production sites (in Germany and China) and all central functions will in future be part of the newly formed specialist for coated technical textiles.
FESPA has announced an extension to the deadline for entries for the FESPA Awards 2025 for Speciality Printers and Signmakers. Those wishing to enter now have until midnight on 6 January 2025 to submit their entry.
The Hamburg-based management consultants Apenberg & Partner have once again completed their traditional management survey on the market and business development of the German printing industry for the year 2025 with a high level of participation. 191 companies (previous year: 221) took part in the study.
‘Spiel-Räume’ is the theme of the 38th Leipziger Grafikbörse. The exhibition, which will take place from 23 November 2024 to 26 January 2025 at the Museum für Druckkunst Leipzig, presents contemporary graphic art. The submissions from 87 artists from Germany, France, Ukraine and the Netherlands address the exhibition’s theme in different ways. On display are physical ‘play spaces’ such as toys, playgrounds, landscapes or rooms.
Following slight growth in October, the mood among companies in the German print and media industry deteriorated in November 2024. The business climate index determined by the BVDM recorded a seasonally and calendar-adjusted decline of 1.4 per cent compared to the previous month. Sentiment on company floors regarding current and future business development deteriorated slightly. The outcome of the US elections and the unclear political situation following the end of the ‘traffic light’ government are preventing business uncertainty from easing.
The Shine LED lamp set from Miraclon was honoured with the sustainability award of the German DFTA Flexo Printing Association at a festive event in Cologne. With the Shine LED lamp set, UV imagesetters can be retrofitted so that flexographic prepress companies and print shops can benefit from the efficiency and sustainability advantages of LED imaging technology at low cost.
