Metal processing trades can hope for recovery

The metal processing trades are among the large sectors of the German craft industries; it includes metal producers and precision engineering as well as metal and bell founders. Since metal producers largely supply the construction industry, it is largely dependent on developments in the building sector. Because of the long recession in construction, the situation of this industry has deteriorated strongly and the number of businesses has declined. A more favourable development has been experienced in recent years by precision engineering, which is primarily a supplier for larger industrial processors. Nevertheless, the number of businesses has decreased here as well. With the expected stabilisation in the construction industry and the impending recovery in industrial production, the metal processing trades can expect turnover to increase by 1% in 2004 with further recovery in 2005.