Digital innovations

Half of German industry sees itself ahead

Ahead of the Hanover Industrial Trade Fair, German industry is showing itself to be self-confident and well positioned in terms of digitization. One in two industrial companies (48 percent) sees its own sector at the forefront of digital innovations in an international comparison or as a pioneer. Twenty-nine percent place it in the middle of the field, while 19 percent are lagging behind or have already fallen behind. These are the findings of a representative survey of 603 companies in Germany, including 163 industrial enterprises, commissioned by the digital association Bitkom.

"Digitalization and production belong together, the digital sector and industry are moving closer together."

Achim Berg,
President, Bitkom

Two-thirds of industrial companies (66 percent) are convinced that industry should become a pioneer in the development of sustainable technologies, and 57 percent believe that the development of climate-friendly methods and processes in industry could strengthen the competitiveness of the German economy. At the same time, however, political regulation is also causing concern for half of the industry: A total of 50 percent of the industrial companies surveyed say that climate policy is putting a strain on German industry and limiting its competitiveness.

Note on methodology: The data is based on a survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. A total of 603 companies with 20 or more employees in Germany were surveyed by telephone. The overall survey is representative. The questions were: "Where do you see German industry in a global comparison in terms of digital innovations?" and "To what extent do you agree with the statements about German industry and sustainability or climate protection?