German Glass Machinery Industry

After experiencing a slow business development in 2002, the members of the Glass Machinery Association, within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) said they expected business to pick up again in 2004. This was the result of the association's annual conference held in September/03, where more than 30 company representatives discussed current issues of the industry. The hollow glass sector, in particular, had to put up with a decline in order intakes in 2002. Only exporting companies, or those specialised in niche products, were able to get over this difficult business situation. The flat glass sector was affected mainly by a period of stagnation in the demand of the US market.