German-based industrial valves manufacturer VDMA is starting the new year cautiously. Orders and turnover continue to decline; however, market stabilisation is anticipated for 2010. In 2009, the company had to accept a nominal turnover decrease of 9%. As a result, the negative trend of the first half of 2009 (minus 5%) was reinforced. On the domestic market, turnover sank by 13%, while the foreign turnover declined 5% in comparison with the previous year. As a result, all product groups recorded revenue losses. The manufacturers of control valves were particularly affected: in comparison with the previous year, the overall turnover decreased by 13%. The manufacturers of safety and monitoring valves also recorded a negative turnover level (minus 9%); as did the manufacturers of shut-off valves (minus 7%). According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the exportation of industrial valves decreased in the first eleven months of 2009 by 5.5% to about EUR 2.4 billion.
