Speciale Hannover Messe

20 SPECIAL HANNOVERMESS E 2023 According to a statement released by the Vdma, the companies grouped in drive technology and fluid power trade associa- tions can look back on a successful 2022. Sustained high order volumes and even or- der backlogs have resulted in industry sales of around 9.5 billion euros in fluid power and just under 18 billion euros in drive tech- nology, which are record figures. Despite challenging conditions, sales in hydraulics rose by more than 10 % in nominal terms to around 6.5 billion euros compared with the already excellent previous year. In pneu- matics, sales are a tad over 3 billion euros, which also represents a nominal increase of around 10 % compared with 2021. Drive technology is recording a short-term nom- inal increase in sales of just under 12 %. Slight increase expected in 2023 For the Vdma, it is particularly difficult to forecast developments for 2023. Order intake weakened somewhat towards the end of last year, although the base ef- fect of the very good previous year must also be taken into account, with some customers’ warehouses also being full. Overall, the Executive Board of the Fluid Power Association anticipates nominal sales growth of 2% for the industry this year (hydraulics and pneumatics both +2%). The Executive Board for Drive Technology expects a nominal increase of 3%. Continued challenges due to supply chain problems and a shortage of skilled workers. The supply of raw materials and energy, rising costs, inflation as well as supply chain problems and a shortage of skilled workers continue to be a burden. Even though the dramatic picture emerg- ing from Vdma flash surveys seems to be gradually easing for upstream supply chains, it will remain a defining issue. In terms of challenges, this is only surpassed by the shortage of skilled workers, which more than 80 % of companies see as an existential issue for the future. The Vdma is committed to this with initiatives such as the Young Talent Foundation, Talent- maschine (talentmaschine.de) , the Tech Talents young talent fair, research projects (for example in the Fluid Power Research Fund or the Drive Technology Research Association) and numerous trade associ- ation-specific activities. Despite the challenges of the market, companies in the drive and fluid power sector recorded positive results last year. Slight increase expected in 2023 Federica Andreini Greater industry revenue in 2022