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Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: September 2024 WZ G46.72DE

Revenue

€91.0bn

2024

€91.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

51,850

Businesses

2,728

Wages

€X.Xbn

Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany industry analysis

The market situation in the industry has presented a number of challenges for industry players over the past five years. In addition to volatile metal commodity prices, trade tensions between the USA, China and the European Union have characterised the industry's development. In particular, it was the USA that made exports to the USA less attractive, or more precisely more expensive, for German trading companies with the import tariffs it imposed on European steel and aluminium of up to 25%. The coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine also had a negative impact on production in customer industries such as the automotive industry. The sharp rise in commodity prices in 2021 also led to higher turnover in wholesale. Industry turnover rose by an average of 1.9% per year from 2019 to 2024. In the current year, industry turnover is expected to total 91 billion euros. This corresponds to growth of 0.2% compared to the previous year. The industry's sales growth is likely to be slowed by subdued customer markets in the current year. In particular, the ongoing slowdown in the construction industry is currently contributing to low growth in metal wholesale.In the next five years, turnover in the industry is expected to increase by an average of 2.4% per year to an estimated 102.3 billion euros in 2029. The trend towards electromobility and the increase in lightweight construction in the automotive industry are likely to boost demand for aluminium and copper. Demand for steel in China is likely to pick up again due to the strong growth in the construction industry there, as in Germany, and the automotive industry is also likely to have a high demand for products from the sector due to the continued high demand for vehicles with combustion engines. Trade tensions are likely to persist and affect the future development of the industry.

Trends and Insights

  • In the construction industry, there has been a high demand for metal products in recent years. However, the rise in interest rates is likely to lead to a decline in orders in the construction industry, which will reduce demand for wholesalers' products.
  • The industry's most important product group is steel and iron and goods made from them. According to IG Metall, many of the energy-intensive metal manufacturers in Germany are threatened by the energy crisis, which also jeopardises wholesale trade.
  • The centre region has the largest share of companies in the wholesale metal trade. For historical reasons, North Rhine-Westphalia, and the Ruhr region in particular, is home to a particularly large number of metal producing and processing companies, which industry players settle near in order to shorten transport routes.
  • The competition among industry players is very strong. Price is the main criterion by which companies can differentiate themselves from the competition.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €91.0bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Vertical integration offers industry players advantages

  • Although the industry is predominantly made up of medium-sized companies, larger players dominate the sector. Large steel producers such as Thyssenkrupp or Salzgitter have often vertically integrated themselves along their value chain and founded trading companies that carry out sales activities for them.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The sector should benefit from the economic upturn despite risks

  • While the economy has clouded over recently, a trend reversal is likely to take place over the next five years. The starting point for this development is the recovery that is expected to set in from the end of 2024, not only in the German economy but also in the economies of other countries.

Biggest companies in the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Thyssenkrupp Materials Services GmbH
5,337.6
Salzgitter Mannesmann Handel GmbH
2,629.0
Klöckner & Co. SE
2,509.0

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Iron and steel sheets, Steels and other articles of iron and Aluminium and articles thereof. Iron and steel sheets is the largest segment of the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Iron and steel sheets benefit from rising demand in vehicle construction

  • In this product segment, the wholesaler sells surface-finished and cold-rolled sheets as well as strip and quarto plates.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The sector comprises the wholesale of metal ores, pig iron and ferroalloys, metallurgical metals, gold and other precious metals as well as semi-finished products made of iron, steel and non-ferrous metals.

What's included in this industry?

Iron and steel sheetsSteels and other articles of ironAluminium and articles thereofCopper and articles thereofOther non-ferrous metals

Companies

Thyssenkrupp Materials Services GmbHSalzgitter Mannesmann Handel GmbHKlöckner & Co. SE

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

INCOTERMSJUST-IN-TIMEHOMOGENEOUS LEAD COATINGCOMPUTERISED NUMERICAL CONTROL (CNC)HEDGING

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

In the construction industry, there has been a high demand for metal products in recent years. However, the rise in interest rates is likely to lead to a decline in orders in...

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 (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • 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

The industry's most important product group is steel and iron and goods made from them. According to IG Metall, many of the energy-intensive metal manufacturers in Germany ar...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

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

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

The centre region has the largest share of companies in the wholesale metal trade. For historical reasons, North Rhine-Westphalia, and the Ruhr region in particular, is home ...

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 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

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 competition among industry players is very strong. Price is the main criterion by which companies can differentiate themselves from the competition.

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 2019-2024
  • 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

There are no main players in the industry. In many cases, companies limit themselves to the regional market and individual product segments.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Thyssenkrupp Materials Services GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Salzgitter Mannesmann Handel GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Klöckner & Co. SE's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Thyssenkrupp Materials Services GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Salzgitter Mannesmann Handel GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Klöckner & Co. SE, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Car manufacturers are among the most important buyers of industry-specific products. The sales development of car manufacturers therefore also serves as an indicator for the ...

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 (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

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

Most of the costs are attributable to the cost of materials. The cost of materials has been subject to moderate volatility over the past five years due to fluctuations in raw...

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 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

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 (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany is €91.0bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 2,728 businesses in the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling market in Germany are Thyssenkrupp Materials Services GmbH, Salzgitter Mannesmann Handel GmbH and Klöckner & Co. SE

What does the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany include?

Iron and steel sheets and Steels and other articles of iron are part of the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Thyssenkrupp Materials Services GmbH.

How competitive is the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling industry in Germany.

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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.