It seems dark out there
Published 26/2 at 15:44The last few years have been very eventful in a less than positive way around the world. Unfortunately, my column in recent years has often been more an outlet for my frustration than posts about how our industry is changing and developing. Firstly there was the pandemic, then war in the Ukraine, and increasingly the recession in large parts of the world. Right now, Europe is holding its breath as Trump chooses to negotiate with Putin completely on his own without any involvement from either Europe, other NATO countries or the Ukraine.
All the changes and moves since the Trump administration took power in the US are creating concern and uncertainty in many parts of the world. But Trump stuck his chin out and claimed that he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Now he probably wants to show that he can deliver, and thus I can understand that he wants to hold those talks with Putin on his own, to begin with at least. However, what will that mean for the Ukraine? It is a rather dangerous game he is playing.
The question is how will it end? All these global political developments are casting a shadow on an already very strained and uncertain market, at least in Europe. Here, the German market is the driving force for the rest of Europe. If Germany fails as a trading partner, it affects the entire trade balance, not only in Europe, but also in large parts of the world. And that is exactly the situation we are in today. This firstly affects economic conditions, which are being tightened, but then it also affects the willingness of many companies to invest in increased product development, innovation, etc. Even if the will and the competences are there, many choose to wait and see how things will fall into place. There will be more wintering than increased investment.
In a few weeks, the world’s largest trade fair will be arranged again, the bauma in Munich. The build up to the trade fair is ‘ok’ but not as it usually is, which can clearly be seen. Many manufacturers have chosen to lay low until the trade fair itself. My assessment is that those who visit the trade fair will be met with a lot of news, including real innovations in the sectors PDi covers. As a journalist, I can actually state that I know that much. So I am looking forward to bauma with great anticipation, but I wish that PDi, as a trade magazine, could reveal more of what will be revealed at the fair.
I would recommend that everyone who can visit it does, as bauma 2025 is going to be bigger than ever. What will happen in the world in the near future could affect the outcome of bauma, either positively or negatively. PDi Magazine will be exhibiting as usual in bauma’s A1 Hall, Stand 136, something we have done since 2000. We will be there all week with a force of four journalists that aims to visit all suppliers in the industries that PDi covers.
We would also like to remind those of you who are visiting the show and work with concrete ,or manufacturers of diamond tool equipment, to visit the IACDS networking event and presentation of the Diamond Awards 2025 on Thursday, 10 April at 4:00 PM in meeting room A31 at Messe München. Come and meet the industry as all are welcome.
Jan Hermansson
Editor-in-Chief
jan.hermansson@pdworld.com
