A bittersweet year for the machine tool: despite rising exports, they've billed less
In the face of China's "threat," the automobile closed the year 2025 with a 12% reduction in demand, while it was a record year in defense and aeronautics.
Xabier Ortueta and Jose Perez Berdud, today in Donostia.
The year 2025 was a difficult and unstable year for the machine toolsector s, and this year's is on the same path. Last year's year closed with a turnover of EUR 2.247 billion, 3.27% less than in the previous year, but with the best export performance in its history.
The president and CEO of AFM Cluster, Jose Perez Berdud and Xabier Ortueta , respectively, have drawn up this scenario at a press conference held this morning in San Sebastian, where the results have been reported and the forecasts for the coming months have been announced.
Perez Berdud has pointed out that the machine tool sector has withstood the "complex geopolitical context,"but added that if the war in Iran continues, "side damage will be felt," as the energy crisis "will increase significantly," which will harm "all business units."
According to the cluster, the "big challenge" for the future today is to address "China's steady growth "and" extremely competitive prices, "so they have called on European leaders to take steps to prevent dumping.
All this has led to a decline in turnover, among others, which closed last year with a turnover of EUR 2.274 billion, three points lower than in 2024 . However, they acknowledge that the situation by subsectors was' very different '. Thus, there was more growth than ever in the rail, aeronautics, defence or energy sectors, but they are having difficult months for self-related companies due to the' threat from China '.
Exports, on the other hand, increased by 0.82% : sales abroad amounted to €1,760 million, without detecting the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs. a United States remains the main external market, with 13.66% of exports channelled to it, followed by Germany (12.67%), Mexico (9.01%), Italy (8.48%), China (5.53%), France (5.49%), Portugal (3.0%) and A3.0%).
You might like
Volkswagen will cut 50,000 more jobs, half in Germany and the rest in Europe
The Volkswagen group is in crisis due to strong competition from Chinese manufacturers in Europe, declining sales in China and tariffs in the United States.
France announces aid to farmers affected by drought
Farmers' representatives will meet next week with the French Ministry of Agriculture to convey their demands. The effects of drought and heat are being felt economically, but also physically and mentally.
A worker died in an accident at a winery in Lanciego
The incident took place around 12:20 p.m. and the circumstances of the incident are being investigated. Emergency services have been moved to the scene, but the operator's life has not been saved.
A new tax on fast and cheap clothing is introduced in France
Asian giants like Shein or Temu will now have to pay penalty rates of between 50 cents and 12 euros per garment.
The diesel discount goes up to 20 cents per litre, and the gasoline discount goes down to 5 cents
The tax rebate on diesel has doubled since today, while petrol has halved.
The Basque Government will meet again this Tuesday with farmers to assess the impact of the drought
Agricultural associations and trade unions, among others, want the ACV to be declared a drought zone and special measures to be taken. The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. at the headquarters of the Basque Government in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Trade unions and employers sign the first agreement on nursing homes in Navarre
After more than five years of negotiations, trade unions and employers have signed the agreement today, which will involve more than 5,000 workers.
The electricity bill has risen 19% in August, reaching its highest level since 2022
Rising demand in heat waves and rising natural gas prices will make an average user's receipt about EUR 14 more expensive.
The 20 cent diesel rebate will come into effect on Tuesday
The measure, which has so far been reduced by 10 cents per litre, aims to combat fuel prices by 15.7% in July.
The September hill this year will be one of the hardest in years
With the return to work, the families of the Basque Country face another reality, which is that this year's September hill will be one of the hardest in recent years, as evidenced by inflation at 4.3%, a figure not seen since February 2023.