Industrial valves manufacturers draw mixed conclusions from 2022 markets
The German industrial valves sector has seen a turbulent year . The VDMA looks back at 2022 and compares it to previous years in terms of how well the market has done . They also offer some expectations for
2023 .
Text by German Valve Manufacturers Association
( VDMA )
The industrial valves sector in Germany looks back on the year 2022 with mixed feelings . The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine , together with the subsequent energy price crisis , has naturally left its mark . On the other hand , the industry managed to generate a nominal 12 percent increase in sales despite the difficult conditions . Domestic business increased by 8 percent . Foreign sales climbed by 14 percent . Adjusted for prices , however , the 12 percent sales growth corresponds to an increase of only 1 percent .
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Exploding energy and input material prices made life particularly difficult for manufacturers .”
Nevertheless , the valve industry has once again held its course in a difficult environment ,” said Wolfgang Burchard , Managing Director of the VDMA Valves Association , assessing the current situation . “ In the course of the year , it was possible to gradually reduce the previous year ’ s piled-up orders thanks to easing supply bottlenecks ,” Burchard emphasises . “ For example , valve manufacturers were once again very successful on the important sales market of the USA thanks to the upturn in the oil and gas business . Against this background , we are confident and expect sales to increase by
4 percent in 2023 ,” predicts the trade association managing director .
All segments with sales growth
A significant increase in sales was achieved in all product groups in 2022 . Here , too , however , it should be noted that the development , which appears pleasing at first glance , was driven by inflation . Safety and monitoring valves performed best , with a nominal increase in sales of 17 percent . At the same time , shut-off and control valves recorded sales growth of 10 percent . In the case of safety and monitoring valves , foreign sales climbed particularly strongly . Here , an increase of 24 percent was achieved . In the case of shut-off and control valves , foreign business also outperformed domestic business , although the increase in sales was in the low double-digit range . The outlook remains cautiously positive . According to VDMA figures , order intake in all three sectors is currently higher than in the same period of the previous year .
Exports continue to increase
Last year , German valve manufacturers were able to score points in international competition . Industrial valves with a combined worth of around EUR 4.8 billion were exported abroad . This represents an increase of 6.2 percent compared to the previous year . Exports were thus 6 percent above the pre-crisis level in 2019 . However , export business with China , the most important trading partner , lost ground and
26 Valve World April 2023 www . valve-world . net