Sensors and measurement technology: Sales and order intake increased, but recovery in the industry remains fragile
AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement Technology reports industry figures for the third quarter of 2025
Berlin, January 15, 2026 – The AMA Association for Sensor and Measurement Technology (AMA) has published the results of its quarterly survey of around 450 member companies. In the third quarter of 2025, the sensor and measurement technology industry recorded a noticeable improvement in the business situation.
Sales rose by seven percent compared to the previous quarter. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q3 2024), sales increased by six percent. Order intake also rose by seven percent compared to the second quarter of 2025. The book-to-bill ratio of 1.02 indicates a slight excess of demand.
The companies surveyed expect a further three percent increase in sales for the fourth quarter of 2025. This means that the cautious upward trend continues, albeit at a slower pace.
“The figures for the third quarter of 2025 show stabilization and initial signs of growth,” explains Philipp Gutmann, Managing Director of the AMA Association. “The outlook for the fourth quarter confirms that the industry is recovering in some areas, but the situation remains tense for other members.” Despite the positive development, 11 percent of member companies registered for short-time work in the third quarter. This development underscores that the economic situation within the industry remains uneven and that individual market segments are suffering from weak demand.
“Short-time work and growth currently exist side by side,” Gutmann continues. “This shows how differentiated the situation in sensor and measurement technology is. The decisive factor will be whether demand in the user industries picks up sustainably in the further course of the year.”
IT security remains a key issue in the industry:
Against the backdrop of the current BSI status report on IT security (November 2025), the quarterly survey shows that the majority of companies in the sensor and measurement technology industry are already intensively addressing IT security and cyber resilience. 77 percent of the companies surveyed state that they actively and systematically address IT security, for example through regular updates, clearly defined processes, and fixed responsibilities.
A further 15 percent deal with the issue on a selective or ad hoc basis. Only five percent of companies do not currently consider IT security to be a relevant issue, while none of the companies surveyed stated that they recognize the need for action but have not yet begun to take it.
“The results show that IT security has arrived in sensor and measurement technology, but at the same time, cyber resilience remains an ongoing task, especially in view of increasing networking and digital value chains,” says Philipp Gutmann.
Overall, the industry is looking ahead to the coming months with cautious optimism. Drivers such as automation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable production processes are strengthening the long-term outlook. However, with exports accounting for around 48 percent of sales, sensor and measurement technology remains dependent on stable economic and political conditions.
