German machine tool builders to boost market share in Indonesia

Twelve manufacturers of machine tools took the opportunity to showcase their products, solutions and services on the spot. 113 high-ranking representatives of Indonesia’s industrial sector responded to the VDW’s invitation. They came primarily from the automotive industry and its component suppliers, the aviation sector, metalworking companies and the general mechanical engineering sector.

The German companies participating were Alzmetall, Chiron-Werke, DMG Mori, Emag, FFG-Werke, Grob-Werke, Heckert, Heller, Mikron, Siemens, Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen and United Grinding. “With the VDW’s Symposium on ‘Machine Tools and Production Systems from Germany’ we’re here for the second time after 1992 in Indonesia, a country that offers high sales potential,” reports Klaus-Peter Kuhnmünch, the organiser of this VDW event.

The German participants take a similar view. Alexander Attenberger from Grob-Werk GmbH & Co. KG in Mindelheim emphasises: “In Indonesia, a sales market is currently emerging that should not be underestimated, particularly for top-quality machine tools ‘Made in Germany’. In view of the steeply rising population, and the concomitant industrialisation of the country, there will be attractive market potentials developing here in the future.”

German machine tool industry prioritises can-do allies

The VDW’s symposium was organised on the spot in conjunction with the German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and supported by prestigious local associations from relevant customer sectors and the industrial community.

Roland Merz, Sales Manager Asia at Chiron-Werke in Tuttlingen, was attending one of these symposia for the first time, and his verdict is this: “The event in Jakarta was a good platform for this initial exchange of mutual feedback with representatives of Indonesia’s industrial sector. Thanks to subsequent visits to companies in Bandung we acquired an enhanced sensitivity to and an improved assessment of the Indonesian market.”

As Jan H. Rönnfeld, Executive Director of the German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, states: “The large number of Indonesian participants at the VDW’s symposium shows the keen interest of local companies in innovations from German machine tool manufacturers.”

Klaus-Peter Kuhnmünch from the VDW pointed out in conclusion that German manufacturers are approaching the Indonesian market, with its huge potential, using a long-termist strategy. He emphasises “that it is nonetheless important for the VDW’s members to continually hone their awareness for the idiosyncrasies of the Indonesian market, so as to derive from these the most appropriate strategies.”