focus on R&D accelerate

German mechanical engineering firms and
(family-owned) businesses in the electrical
engineering industry carry out a lot of
activities themselves. Following established
processes, German manufacturers build
(niche) products that are market leaders
around the world.

In some mechanical engineering plants vast areas are devoted
to machines for cutting sheets of steel to
the precise dimensions required for their
ultimate use in complex high-tech end
products. Although the processes are
efficient, this practice makes the companies
vulnerable and inflexible. The crisis in 2009
made many German manufacturers aware of
that threat and prompted them to engage in
more strategic outsourcing.

That represents an ideal opportunity for Dutch companies
to strengthen their position as suppliers in
Germany.