Metal-Forming Machinery & Machine Tool Manufacturing in Ireland - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Metal-Forming Machinery & Machine Tool Manufacturing in Ireland industry analysis

Major influences on the European Metal Forming Machinery and Machine Tool manufacturing industry include motor vehicle and aerospace manufacturers, major sheet metal purchasers and high-precision machinery. Over the five years through 2024, industry revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 6.5% to €43.1 billion, including a dip of 1.5% in 2024. Car production in the EU has remained below pre-pandemic levels. ACEA data reveals that 2022’s output was approximately 3.1 million units below 2019. The automotive industry requires large quantities of sheet metal; therefore, the dwindling production numbers indicate a shrinking sales pool for manufacturers to tap into. Commercial air traffic also remains down on pre-pandemic levels in many European countries, leading to a slowdown in order intake from aerospace manufacturers.

Trends and Insights

• Manufacturers benefit from rising car production. As a vital downstream industry, growth in the automobile sector directly leads to strong sheet metal forming machinery sales.
• Tariffs will sharply reduce European metal-forming machinery exports to the US. The new 10% US base tariff will make European machinery more costly for US buyers. EU products will also become less competitive as the EU 20% tariff comes into action in July 2025, likely leading to a significant drop in export volumes as US buyers turn to domestic or alternative suppliers. This shift threatens the European trade surplus in the sector and could disrupt established transatlantic trade flows.
• Concentration in the industry is moderate. While a few companies hold a significant share of the industry, there’s a large number of SMEs specialising in niche products or serving regional markets.