„Alarmsignal für Deutschland“: Maschinenbauer verlagern Forschung zunehmend ins Ausland

Frankfurt/Main - German mechanical and plant engineers are relocating research activities more frequently abroad. According to a VDMA survey of 400 member companies, 43 percent already organize research and development activities outside Germany. Over two thirds (69 percent) of those already researching internationally plan to expand their research and development efforts beyond borders.

Four out of ten of the companies that already conduct research abroad anticipate a ten percentage point increase in their overseas research share within the next five years. Almost another 40 percent expect even greater growth. The VDMA estimates that China and India will become increasingly important in this regard. This development is described by VDMA deputy chief executive Hartmut Rauen as a "clear alarm signal for the industrial location of Germany - especially because we are the most important partner for value creation in new products and processes with 190,000 engineers."

Rauen adds, "If Germany wants to secure its industrial location and Hightech in this country, it must create the conditions for investments and innovation now." Unbureaucratic support is a crucial factor.