Germany’s steel and metal working industry saw another dip in production in January through October, by 1.6% compared with the first ten months of 2024, according to representative association WSM.
The association points at a thin lining on the horizon given that October output was 1.9% above October 2024, Kallanish hears. Still, it notes that steel and metal fabricators are lagging behind other industries, with the continued negative trend of the first ten months.
Germany’s industries in general have regained a modest optimism, economic institute Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) has reported after Christmas, citing a survey it conducted earlier this month. The majority of industries expect better order intake in 2026 than in 2025, especially IT, banks, and services. Of typical steel consuming industries, IW cites construction, on the basis of the government’s special funds for roads, railways and bridges.
WSM’s managing director, Christian Vietmeyer, underlines the effect of such measures, and that fabricators need the government to pave the way. “Our wish list does not include any luxuries,” Vietmeyer says. “We only ask for basics, like competitive energy prices, affordable wage costs, and taxes, and regulations we can actually meet.”
