Machine tools “Made in Germany” are the key to success, particularly in times of globalized change. They supply industrial manufacturers with technologies of innovative excellence which help them to meet and master the challenges of both the present and the future, thus guaranteeing sustained technical progress. Besides the products themselves, it is primarily single-sourced solutions and services that have crucially underpinned the sector’s superior reputation for generations now; this is set to continue in the future.

The factors behind the success of the companies concerned include a highly qualified workforce, the good infrastructure in place throughout Germany and the dense network of can-do suppliers. They include discerning customers, with whom joint development and trialing projects are very often conducted, plus not least the highly effective teams of researchers who make sure that the very latest findings are incorporated in the machine tools produced. With all these advantages, the German machine tool industry ranks among the world’s top producers and exporters on the international machine tool market, helping its customers all over the world to become and remain successful.

The machine tool industry plays a key role in industrial manufacturing operations: it supplies metalworking production technology to all branches of industry, thus making a crucial contribution towards raising productivity levels in the entire industrial sector. The mechanical and electrical engineering sectors, the automotive industry and its component suppliers, the aircraft industry, medical technology, manufacturers of metal products, and many more, all benefit from their partners in the German machine tool industry.

In the future, Malaysia will continue developing its manufacturing industry, leading in turn to an increased demand for advanced technology products. Germany can offer high-quality and advanced technology products, while Malaysia provides a market for them, as well as a hub for regional distribution. Therefore, the bilateral trade between Germany and Malaysia is expected to continue to grow in the future.

Malaysia is an emerging market that has been investing heavily in its manufacturing sector, including its machine tool industry. According to the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW), in 2023 Malaysia was the most important export market for German machine tools in Southeast Asia. The export value of German machine tools and parts to Malaysia amounted to around 42 million euros. This accounts for 8 per cent of all machine tool imports of Malaysia, making it the 4th-largest supplier for the Malaysian industry.

Looking ahead, VDW expects the demand for machine tools in Malaysia to continue to rise, driven by the country’s ongoing high investments in the manufacturing sector, including the automotive and mechanical engineering industries.

VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, represents the interests of the German machine tool industry. Together with the Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems sector association within VDMA (German Engineering Federation), VDW comprises some 300 predominantly mid-tier companies. They account for about 90 percent of the sector’s total turnover, and are voluntary members of the association.

VDW is the face of the industry to the public, political decisionmakers, business partners, and the scientific community. It has been a service provider for its members for 133 years now. Based on its in-depth knowledge 
of the industry, VDW informs its clients with supreme 
competence, providing advice, and supporting them on individual questions and issues.

As one of the few industry associations that organize exhibitions for the international machine tool industry, VDW has many decades of experience in this field. With its A fair by VDW quality seal, it stages the leading trade fair for production technology, EMO Hannover, on behalf of 
the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies (Cecimo), next scheduled for 22 to 26 September 2025. VDW also organizes its own international exhibition for production and manufacturing technologies, NORTEC in Hamburg, next scheduled for January 2026. GrindingHub, the new hub for international grinding technology, and the youngest member of VDW’s exhibition portfolio, successfully premiered in Stuttgart in spring 2022, and returns from 14 to 17 May 2024.

In addition, VDW supports members who wish to take part in manufacturing technology exhibitions in the key export markets. The association applies for official joint company participation from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and helps small and medium-sized companies to penetrate new markets.

Contact:
VDW – German Machine Tool Builders’ Association
Phone +49 69 756081-0
vdw@vdw.de
www.vdw.de