37 Elisabeth Klock Editorial Dear Readers, if we consider the current economic environment both in the national and international context, it cannot be is undeniable – we are in the midst of a crisis with considerable challenges for all development with considerable challenges for all industrial sectors. A decline in industrial production of seven percent in the period June 2023 to June 2019, 50.6 percent lower foreign direct direct investment from 2022 to 2021, and a projected negative economic growth of 0.3 percent for 2023 have led critical observers conclude that twenty years after the Agenda reforms, Germany is once again a twenty years after the Agenda reforms, Germany is once again a restructuring case. This assessment is This assessment is also supported by a comparison with other industrialized nations such as the USA, where real GDP growth is forecast to be 2023 of 1.8 percent, Japan 1.4 percent and even Spain with 2.5 percent. Particularly threatening is the enormous increase in the price of industrial electricity since the second half of 2020 in the order of 150 percent, which is percent, which has put our economy in the middle of the transformation process to a to a CO₂-free mode of production and will make many planned investments planned investments no longer appear profitable overnight, thus and thus reinforces the trend toward migration to countries with lower energy costs. In view of this situation, energetic countermeasures are called for by all in our value chains. The government is called upon to reduce bureaucracy quickly and efficiently, improve the framework conditions for the digital infrastructure and to do everything in its power to promote technological developments technological developments toward more innovations at the level of research and innovations. And all of this must take place in a global economic environment that has recently lost momentum and, in view of lower incoming orders from abroad from abroad – especially from our largest trading especially from our biggest trading partner China – there is no sign of a short-term turnaround. On the domestic front, however, there are some small rays of hope. A slowdown in inflation and stabilizing consumer spending, as well as a slight stabilizing consumption and a slight increase in investment in machinery and and construction give reason to hope for positive domestic economic growth impetus. Major events such as this year's IAA in Munich, with 500,000 visitors, the organizers of the event, the Automotive Industry the organizers of this event, the German Association of the Automotive Industry and speak of a “showcase of innovations”, with which the automotive innovations" with which the German competitors in particular presented themselves. In November of the year, the world's leading suppliers for automation suppliers of automation technology meet in Nuremberg for the 32nd edition of the trade fair SPS – Smart Production Solutions. In 16 exhibition halls with approx. 120.000 m² exhibition space, 1,200 exhibitors from all over the world are expected. This will be a special opportunity for our German automation a special chance to showcase its performance and innovation capabilities. With annual sales of around 52 billion euros, Germany is one of the most important most important locations. The industry is expected to achieve annual growth rates of annual growth rates in the order of eight to nine percent in the period to 2030. This is a potential that our companies will not miss out on. Accordingly, in addition to classic control technology, drive technology and sensor technology, the importance of the importance of software and IT in manufacturing will dominate the discussions of the trade audience. We would like to thank all the authors and hope that you, dear readers, will enjoy reading this issue. We hope you enjoy reading this issue. Your editors Elisabeth Klock and Dr. Rudolf Müller www.vek-onlineservice.de Dr. Rudolf Müller
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