STRATEGIC MARKET ANALYSIS & MARKET RESEARCH FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH, a market research company, creates customized market analyses and studies for the mechanical and plant engineering sectors. Our clients include OEMs, suppliers, and service providers in the mechanical engineering market.
A market analysis in mechanical engineering examines, for example, market size, market growth, market potential, competitive situation , potential customers as well as trends and developments in the market.
Market research in mechanical engineering provides the basis for evaluating market potential for innovations , acquiring new customers , strategic orientation , or competitive analysis.
EXAMPLES OF MARKET RESEARCH PROJECTS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH has been conducting specific market and competitive analyses Please click on the keywords to learn more about exemplary market research projects in the mechanical engineering sector:
The global machine vision market was valued at approximately €8-9 billion in 2018. It is projected to grow by approximately 7% annually worldwide until 2024. This growth is driven by increasing levels of automation in manufacturing and the growing use of quality control systems based on machine vision. The automotive industry remains the largest consumer of machine vision systems, accounting for 22% of the market in 2018. We analyzed the machine vision and robot vision market for a medium-sized machine manufacturer, thereby developing the foundation for our client's future market strategy in the field of machine vision.
Digital twins are digital representations of people, machines, plants, processes, systems, and entire production contexts. They are increasingly used in research, development, and production . Market studies predict that the global market for digital twins will grow from approximately USD 3-6 billion (EUR 2.7-5.5 billion) today to approximately USD 15-20 billion (EUR 13.6-18.1 billion) by 2023/2025. These studies forecast annual growth rates of 28-37% (CAGR). For our client, a medium-sized special-purpose machinery manufacturer, we investigated the market potential in the digital twin market. This market analysis formed the basis for the long-term development of the client's corporate strategy.
Our client, a global manufacturer of high-precision machining centers for the automotive industry, commissioned us to systematically identify foundries, machining companies, and assembly plants for electric motor housings used in electric vehicles. The client sees this customer group as a high-growth target group and plans to use our analyses to proactively approach the identified companies with suitable machine solutions.
We conducted a study of the global market for industrial robots for a supplier, identifying the leading manufacturers worldwide and analyzing market trends. Based on this market analysis, the client was able to strategically expand their business in this area.
The market for tool grinding machines is highly competitive internationally. A medium-sized manufacturer of tool grinding machines experienced this firsthand, ultimately filing for insolvency during market turmoil. For two investment companies interested in acquiring and continuing the business, we conducted a comprehensive market study examining the global market situation, international sales markets such as China and Italy, the competitive landscape, and key customer requirements. Interviews with more than 20 tool grinding companies and market experts allowed us to develop a precise and reliable picture of the target company's market position. Based on our analysis, the investors decided to purchase and continue the company, thus securing numerous jobs.
We supported our client, an international manufacturer of materials testing machines, in their planned market entry into Germany and Europe by providing customized market and company analyses. The focus was on systems for destructive materials testing.
For a manufacturer of linear technology components, we examined the market situation, the leading suppliers, potential target customers, and their requirements. This analysis serves as the basis for their market expansion strategy.
Our client, a medium-sized supplier of precision parts manufactured on 5-axis machines, was considering the purchase of several large milling machines for machining large components made of aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. Since the investment, including the construction of a new production hall, represented a critically large investment for the company, the management commissioned us to conduct a systematic market analysis prior to the purchase. The analysis examined the potential, customer needs, and requirements for large 5-axis milled parts in the aerospace, machine component, energy technology, marine propulsion, and vacuum technology sectors. More than 50 interviews with purchasing managers and decision-makers at potential target customers in these industries provided a reliable assessment of the market potential, opportunities, and risks.
For an innovative new development by a machine manufacturer in the field of waterjet cutting, we investigated market potential, competitive landscape, and customer requirements in the target market. Through more than 30 in-depth interviews with numerous potential users in the contract manufacturing and supplier industries, we gained a solid understanding of the market for waterjet cutting systems.
For a newly developed system for the automatic cleaning of conveyor chains in overhead conveyor systems, we analyzed market potential, competitive landscape, customer requirements, and market entry barriers. Through interviews with technical and production managers at powder coating companies, large paint shops, and foundries, we developed a solid foundation for the client's planned market entry in the German-speaking and European markets.
We compiled a comprehensive list of contract cutting companies currently using waterjet cutting machines, laser cutting machines, or plasma cutting machines for a machine manufacturer. This list serves as a basis for the client to systematically approach new customers in the target market.
We analyzed market potential in various segments of the global plastics and rubber machinery market for a supplier. Through interviews with potential target customers, we systematically analyzed and evaluated the potential and their needs.
For a manufacturer in the automation technology sector, we analyzed market potential in the field of packaging machines, identified the leading manufacturers in the packaging machine market, and analyzed market trends. This analysis served as the basis for ongoing market monitoring.
For a supplier in the electric motor market, we investigated market size, leading players, trends and requirements in the electric motor market.
For a supplier of system components in the drive technology market, we investigated market potential, leading manufacturers and customers, as well as requirements and development trends in the drive technology market. Among other things, relevant requirements and trends were identified through more than 20 interviews with decision-makers in the drive technology sector. Based on the project results, the client is systematically expanding its sales activities in the drive technology market.
For a global supplier in the transmission market, we analyzed expansion potential, leading potential customers and manufacturers, as well as customer requirements and market trends in the transmission market. Among other things, customer requirements and development trends were gathered through in-depth interviews with decision-makers in the transmission market. Based on the analysis results, our client is systematically expanding its sales activities in the transmission market.
For a supplier in the electric motor market, we investigated market size, leading players, trends and requirements in the frequency converter and rectifier market.
For a supplier in the mechanical engineering sector, we investigated the market for servo motors, gearboxes and servo controllers for a planned new market launch.
For a manufacturer of direct drives (linear motors, torque motors), we analyzed market potential and the competitive landscape in various application areas of mechanical engineering. The results of this analysis formed the basis for the targeted expansion of the manufacturer's activities in Germany.
We analyzed the market for compressors and compressed air technology for a supplier in the mechanical engineering sector. This analysis served as the basis for the systematic development of this market segment.
We analyzed the market for pumps (metering pumps, centrifugal pumps, gear pumps, vacuum pumps) for a supplier in the mechanical engineering sector. This analysis served as the basis for the systematic development of this market segment.
The market for service robots in professional applications (e.g., logistics, professional cleaning, medical technology) recently comprised approximately 132,000 units annually worldwide and experienced double-digit growth. Dynamic growth of around 10% per annum is also expected for the coming years. The trend is clearly toward autonomous systems with sensors and intelligence. The market offers numerous opportunities for suppliers and component manufacturers from various sectors: Central computers will need to be able to process embedded vision and multiple signals in the future. Battery and power management, as well as (wireless) charging technology, are further critical components in the automation of mobile robots. For our client, a large mechanical engineering company with extensive automation expertise, we analyzed the service robot market and developed options for entering this high-growth market.
Condition monitoring systems enable the continuous monitoring of the condition of machines and equipment to increase availability and detect impending failures in a timely manner. The market is evolving towards full-service concepts that combine hardware, software, cloud solutions, and increasingly, complementary services. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and new parameters for predicting machine health is steadily growing. In this innovative market, we examined the international market and competitive landscape for a leading manufacturer of condition monitoring systems.
For the automated handling of particularly sensitive goods, e.g., in semiconductor manufacturing, battery or fuel cell production, or the optical industry, so-called electrostatic chucks can be an alternative to the vacuum grippers or special grippers currently predominantly used. Electrostatic chucks can be used in cleanrooms and enable the handling of particularly thin, perforated, or fragile components. We prepared the market entry in Germany for a Japanese developer of these chucks with a customized market analysis in the field of handling technology. The market analysis examined nine relevant application areas and their technical requirements and identified the key target customers in the focus industries in Germany.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) transport goods and production materials autonomously in warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Thanks to sensor technology, they can navigate safely even in dynamic environments, avoid obstacles, and independently reach different destinations. The AMR market is a clear growth market: By 2025, the market is expected to increase by 40% annually in terms of unit sales, reaching approximately 572,000 units per year worldwide. For our client, a major supplier in the sensor technology sector, we analyzed growth potential in the AMR market and examined leading technology companies such as Mobile Industrial Robots and Robotize.
Global battery production capacity (Li-ion) is increasing from 200 GWh in 2018 to approximately 600-650 GWh in 2023. Asia, particularly China, will continue to dominate as a production location, but Europe is also building significant production capacities. This strong expansion in battery production capacity presents attractive market opportunities for machine manufacturers with specific expertise in building battery production facilities. For our client, a medium-sized special-purpose machine manufacturer, we conducted a market analysis of battery production worldwide to examine opportunities and growth prospects for the further development of their corporate strategy.
The market for fuel cells, with approximately 75,000 units manufactured worldwide, is still relatively small, with applications primarily in stationary applications. Optimistic forecasts anticipate a rapid ramp-up of the fuel cell vehicle market. According to these projections, around 300,000 vehicles could be produced globally by 2025. By 2030, production could reach 2 million fuel cell vehicles annually. In this scenario, the development of fuel cell manufacturing capacity could become an attractive growth market for specialized machine manufacturers: The high number of cells per fuel cell stack results in significant assembly effort. Processes must be automated and industrialized as production volumes increase. Against this backdrop, a medium-sized automation specialist commissioned us to conduct a structured analysis of the opportunities and risks in the global market for fuel cell manufacturing equipment.
The production of gears for vehicle transmissions is expected to grow only modestly in the coming years, at approximately 1-2% per year. Against the backdrop of hybridization and electrification of vehicle powertrains, gear and transmission manufacturing is facing a dynamic transformation. Besides a few transmission manufacturing sites belonging to OEMs such as Daimler, VW, and Opel, a handful of large suppliers like ZF, Getrag/Magna, and IMS Gear dominate the transmission manufacturing market. Against this backdrop, we analyzed the market situation and potential entry points for a successful market entry into the European market for our client, an Asian manufacturer of straightening tools for transmission production.
We analyzed the market for hydraulic systems and components (hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic motors, hydraulic pumps, hydraulic power units, hydraulic systems) for a supplier in the mechanical engineering sector. This analysis served as the basis for the systematic development of this market segment.
For a supplier in the pneumatics industry, we analyzed the market for pneumatic systems and components (pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic valves, compressed air service units, pneumatic sensors). The results served as a basis for identifying new potential customers in the market and for the company's strategic development in the pneumatics sector. This included conducting approximately 20 expert interviews with leading market players in the pneumatics industry and identifying future trends and requirements.
We analyzed the market for continuous conveyors and other storage technology systems for a supplier in the mechanical engineering sector. This analysis served as the basis for the systematic development of this market segment.
For a machine manufacturer specializing in stone production, we analyzed the market situation, key suppliers, and trends in the market for stone production equipment. This analysis served as the basis for the company's implementation of a buy-and-build strategy.
We analyzed the potential of the future market for water technologies (water treatment, water filtration) in the industrial and municipal sectors for a mechanical engineering company. This analysis served as the basis for the company's strategic diversification into the water sector.
We investigated the market situation for plant engineering in the biotech and life science industry worldwide for a supplier in the field of automation technology.
For a supplier in the field of automation technology, we examined the market situation of plant engineering in the food and beverage industry worldwide.
For a systems supplier in the machine tool market, we analyzed market potential, key target customers and manufacturers, the strategic positioning of competitors, as well as customer requirements and market trends. To gain a deep understanding of customer requirements, we conducted, among other things, more than 20 expert interviews with decision-makers at machine tool manufacturers. Based on the project results, the client is further expanding its market and sales activities in the machine tool market.
We analyzed the market for industrial profiles for a manufacturer of aluminum profiles. As part of the study, we compiled data on market size and development, the most important application sectors, the key suppliers in the market, and trends and developments within the industry.
For a service provider in the mechanical engineering sector, we analyzed the status of Industry 4.0 in mechanical and plant engineering and assessed the role of Manufacturing Execution Systems in this context.
We analyzed market size, competitive landscape, and market trends in the European market for a manufacturer of inverter technology. This analysis served as the basis for the targeted strategic development of the supplier.
For an innovative industrial robot for the precise assembly of small parts, we analyzed market potential, the competitive landscape, and the requirements of key user industries in the German market. This analysis formed the basis for a public funding decision and paved the way for the approval of further funding for development to market readiness.
For a globally operating manufacturer of lead anodes for metal recovery electrolysis, we analyzed market potential, the competitive landscape, and customer needs in Europe, the USA, and South America. Based on our analysis, the manufacturer is continuing its international market expansion.
For an international supplier in the process automation sector, we examined the global market situation, development forecasts, and key trends in coal-fired power plants. This market analysis formed the basis for the company's strategic development decision.
We analyzed value creation structures and development trends at selected surface technology companies for a consulting firm. The information was used for benchmarking.
We conducted a market analysis for elevators and escalators in selected countries for an engineering firm. The analysis included research into market data and growth prospects.
We conducted a market analysis in selected countries for a plant engineering company specializing in innovative flood protection systems. The analysis explored market potential, competitors, and growth prospects, identified potential sales partners and customers, and evaluated technical trends in the market. Based on this analysis, the client is currently systematically expanding its sales activities in the target markets.
On behalf of a globally operating plant engineering company specializing in sophisticated large-scale valves and housingless valves, we analyzed the market in selected countries. The study systematically identified target customers and sales partners in the wastewater technology sector and interviewed them regarding potential collaborations. Based on the results, the client is currently expanding its international sales activities in the area of housingless valves.
For a supplier of hydraulic and pneumatic components, we examined the global market for construction machinery and analyzed the competitive situation in the construction machinery market from the client's point of view.
As part of a market entry project, we analyzed the market for powertrain test benches, engine test benches, and chassis test benches for our client, a medium-sized manufacturer of customized electric motors. Of particular relevance was the currently rapidly growing market for electric motor test benches. The extensive development activities of all OEMs and many suppliers in the field of electromobility are leading to a high demand for corresponding test bench technology and suitable high-speed test bench motors.
Fiber-reinforced composites such as CFRP are used in a growing number of applications in automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace, and medical technology. For our client, we investigated the market potential for a newly developed CFRP material characterized by exceptional stability, low weight, high surface durability thanks to a special coating, and other unique features. The analysis examined application possibilities, market opportunities, and identified potential customers and cooperation partners for the use of this innovative material in the fiber-reinforced composites market.
MARKET ANALYSIS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GERMANY: TOP 100 RANKING
The new market analysis "Mechanical Engineering Germany 2025" by MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH, published in November 2025, provides an overview of the 100 leading mechanical engineering companies in Germany, their revenue and employee figures, as well as data on the industry's profitability. The study is available for free download on our website.
Industry diversity – from global players to hidden champions: Whether machine tools, packaging machines, or plastics and rubber processing machines – German machine manufacturers are among the world's leading companies. Our market study of the top 100 machine manufacturers in Germany showcases both well-known global players such as GEA, Voith, and KUKA. At the same time, our ranking of Germany's leading machine manufacturers also includes numerous hidden champions, which employ hundreds or thousands of people and are among the market and technology leaders worldwide within their respective machine categories.
Download our free market analysis of the German mechanical engineering sector 2025 as a PDF here.
FOCUS: DEMANDING NICHES AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Our market analyses in mechanical engineering often focus on niche markets, innovations, and technologically demanding topics.
For market research in the field of mechanical engineering, we use a proven, systematic research approach that includes all relevant data sources.
For demanding mechanical engineering market analyses, we utilize our extensive network of expert contacts, through which we generate valuable in-depth information on markets, potentials and trends.
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