SECTOR

checking that FEM goals and work still match our companies ’ needs and realities , and 2- presenting our sector ’ s vision to EU decision-makers . During our internal discussions , it rapidly became clear that the key word was “ competitiveness ”. Many of our companies are world leaders . In the past 10 years , important market developments have taken place . Extra-EU exports now represent close to 50 % of our production value , more than twice the level of 2005 . Meanwhile , domestic demand for materials handling equipment is still 25 % less than in 2005 . On international markets where we compete with many global players , our competitiveness is vital to our success . Our competitiveness is not built on low wages , low production costs or cheap materials . One of our

www . fem-eur . com 33