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Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: July 2024 WZ C25.71DE

Revenue

€1.3bn

2024

€1.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

4,755

Businesses

33

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany industry analysis

The cutlery and cutlery manufacturing industry has been subject to slight fluctuations in turnover over the past five years. From 2019 to 2024, turnover was mainly driven by higher consumer spending on household and furnishing items. As a result of the depreciation of the euro due to the falling effective exchange rate in 2022, imported cutlery and cutlery products became more expensive on the domestic market, which also benefited domestic manufacturers. The industry's turnover has risen by an average of 1.3% per year since 2019. In the current year, however, industry turnover is likely to fall by 1.6% year-on-year to €1.3 billion. Since 2021, the profit margin of industry participants has remained stable despite the rise in the price of steel and aluminium, primary input factors for the production of cutlery and cutlery, as some of the price increases could be passed on to customers. < />The increase in net household income in the current year should have a positive effect on demand for the industry's products. One risk for the cutlery industry is the rising effective exchange rate, which is making it much more difficult to export goods, which is a disadvantage for the heavily export-orientated industry. Rising import quotas and falling household figures are also having a negative effect on industry growth. Volatile steel prices have also weighed on the cutlery industry and increased its competitiveness compared to cheaper substitutes.IBISWorld expects industry turnover to grow by an average of 0.9% per year over the next five years. It should therefore amount to 1.4 billion euros in 2029. Although the number of private households is expected to decline slightly, consumer spending on household furnishings is likely to continue to increase. As production processes continue to be relocated abroad, the number of people employed in the sector as well as the number of companies and businesses is expected to fall slightly between 2024 and 2029.

Trends and Insights

  • In order to maintain their competitiveness, more and more industry players are relocating individual production steps or even the entire manufacturing process abroad. Cost advantages can be achieved by relocating sites abroad.
  • The largest share of industry revenue is generated by razor blades. Some razor blade manufacturers are relocating all or part of their production to low-wage countries due to rising production costs, meaning that the share of revenue generated by this segment is likely to slowly decline.
  • North Rhine-Westphalia has by far the highest number of companies in the sector, and Solingen in particular has a long tradition of producing cutlery.
  • In the low-price segment, there is high import pressure from goods from Eastern Europe and Asia. Manufacturers based abroad can offer their products at more favourable prices due to lower production costs.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €1.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Falling household figures put pressure on the industry

  • The cutlery and cutlery manufacturing sector primarily produces razor blades and knives for private households. The product range is rounded off by cutlery.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Sales markets abroad offer manufacturers growth potential

  • As a result of global economic growth in numerous emerging and developing countries, disposable household income and consumer brand and quality awareness are also increasing, resulting in growth potential in foreign sales markets for industry players.

Biggest companies in the Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Wilkinson Sword GmbH
213.8
WMF GmbH
209.5
Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH
140.2

To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Razor blades, Knives and Scissors and scissor blades. Razor blades is the largest segment of the Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany.

Trends and Insights

International companies have their razor blades produced in Germany

  • The high proportion of sales accounted for by razor blades is primarily due to the fact that large, internationally active consumer goods manufacturers have their razor blades produced in Germany. These include Wilkinson Sword GmbH, which belongs to the Edgewell Personal Care Group, and Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, which is a subsidiary of the Procter & Gamble Company.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this sector manufacture cutlery and cutlery intended for household use, such as razor blades and scissors made of steel, aluminium and other base metals. The industry does not include the production of knives and cutting blades for machines or mechanical devices or cutlery made from precious metals.

What's included in this industry?

Razor bladesKnivesSpoonForks

Companies

Wilkinson Sword GmbHWMF GmbHProcter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

EDITORIALDLCGÖFFEL

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 25.71 - Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

In order to maintain their competitiveness, more and more industry players are relocating individual production steps or even the entire manufacturing process abroad. Cost ad...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The largest share of industry revenue is generated by razor blades. Some razor blade manufacturers are relocating all or part of their production to low-wage countries due to...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

North Rhine-Westphalia has by far the highest number of companies in the sector, and Solingen in particular has a long tradition of producing cutlery.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

In the low-price segment, there is high import pressure from goods from Eastern Europe and Asia. Manufacturers based abroad can offer their products at more favourable prices...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Germany remains Wilkinson Sword's strongest sales market. The high sales of industry products on the German market are primarily due to the fact that the razor blades and raz...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Wilkinson Sword GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of WMF GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Wilkinson Sword GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for WMF GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The appreciation of the euro poses a risk for cutlery manufacturers. If the euro gains in value against the currencies of the most important trading partners, the products be...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The cost of materials is the biggest cost factor in the industry. In recent years, the rise in steel prices has driven up the cost of materials.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany is €1.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 33 businesses in the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Cutlery Manufacturing market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Cutlery Manufacturing market in Germany are Wilkinson Sword GmbH, WMF GmbH and Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH

What does the Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany include?

Razor blades and Knives are part of the Cutlery Manufacturing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Cutlery Manufacturing in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Wilkinson Sword GmbH.

How competitive is the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Cutlery Manufacturing industry in Germany.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Ceramic Household & Ornamental Article Manufacturing in Germany

Complementors

  • Perfume & Cosmetics Manufacturing in Germany
  • Hollow Glass Manufacturing in Germany
  • Electrical Appliance Manufacturing in Germany

International industries

  • Hand Tool & Cutlery Manufacturing in the US
  • Hand Tool & Cutlery Manufacturing in Canada
  • Structural Metal Product Manufacturing in Australia
  • Metal Structure Manufacturing in the UK
  • Structural Metal Product Manufacturing in Ireland

View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.