Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €67.7bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
The military sector remains unattractive for manufacturers of electricity distribution and switching equipment due to legal barriers to entry
- A ZVEI member survey from 2025 shows that only a third of companies in the electrical and digital industry have business relationships with the security and military sector. Over 60% of the companies surveyed continue to systematically avoid the defence market. Manufacturers of electricity distribution and switching equipment in Germany confirm this trend particularly clearly. The complex authorisation requirements and regulatory requirements in the military sector make market access considerably more difficult.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Future investments in data centres are driving demand for modern energy and switching technology
- The continuing spread of artificial intelligence is giving a significant boost to investment in German data centres. According to the Borderstep Institute, operators will invest a total of twelve billion euros in IT hardware and an additional 3.5 billion euros in construction, energy and air conditioning technology in 2025. According to Bitkom, the proportion of AI-specialised data centres will increase to 40% by 2030 and the connected load will almost double. The €3.2 billion expansion by Microsoft in the Rhineland region is an example of this development.
Biggest companies in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (€m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Siemens AG | 6,798.4 | |
Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG | 1,132.0 | |
ABB AG | 962.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Parts for electricity distribution and switching equipment, Programmable controllers for low voltages and Switchgear and devices for high voltages. Parts for electricity distribution and switching equipment is the largest segment of the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Parts for electricity distribution and switching equipment are required in particular for repairs and maintenance
- Parts for electricity distribution and switching equipment include components for the distribution and control of electrical energy in systems such as switches, fuses, control panels and transformers.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The electrical distribution and control equipment manufacturing industry is concerned with the production of electrical switchgear and controlgear for high and low-voltage networks as well as parts of electrical switchgear. The industry definition does not include the manufacture of electrical installation materials such as switches and plugs and sockets for low-voltage networks.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany include Parts for electricity distribution and switching equipment, Programmable controllers for low voltages, Switchgear and devices for high voltages, Switchgear for low voltages and Control cabinets with numerical controls for low voltages.Companies
Companies covered in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany include Siemens AG, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG and ABB AG.Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany include low tension, high voltage, relay, programmable logic controller (sps), numerical control, internet of things, computerised numerical control (cnc) and micro grid.Industry Code
WZ 27.12 - Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus 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
The industry is characterised in particular by innovations in the field of production automation. The further development of programmable logic controllers has made it possib...
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 (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- 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
In recent years, there has been no significant expansion of the electricity grid. Old systems have been repaired more often than new ones, which has led to an increase in dem...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
- 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
South Germany is the most important region for the manufacture of electricity distribution and switching equipment. Baden-Württemberg stands out with a particularly large sha...
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 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
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
The intra-sector competition faced by industry players is moderate. Although Siemens plays a dominant role in the industry, many medium-sized and smaller companies are also a...
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 2021-2026
- 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
Siemens is significantly involved in the development of overhead line-controlled road transport. The company wants to combine the efficiency of electrified railway lines with...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Siemens AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of ABB AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Siemens AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for ABB AG, 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 German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) regulates the proper disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. It stipulates that waste electrical ...
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 (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
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 profit margins of the larger market players tend to be higher than those of the smaller industry players. The latter are often unable to benefit from economies of scale d...
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 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
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 (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2026?
The market size of the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany is €67.7bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2026?
There are 1,236 businesses in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany?
The Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany?
The Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany is likely to be significantly impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
Has the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany are Siemens AG, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG and ABB AG
What does the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany include?
Parts for electricity distribution and switching equipment and Programmable controllers for low voltages are part of the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany is Siemens AG.
How competitive is the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry in Germany?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Electricity Distribution & Control Apparatus Manufacturing industry 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.
