Order intake in the technology industry strengthened – solid foundations for growth despite uncertainty
New orders, order books and demand strengthened in Finland’s largest export sector in the second quarter. At the end of June 2026, the number of personnel in the mechanical engineering industry returned to its highest post-financial-crisis level. The foundations for continued growth are solid despite geopolitical and trade policy uncertainty.
According to Technology Industries of Finland’s latest survey of order books and personnel, the balance figure for tender requests, which reflects overall demand in the industry, rose to its highest level since late 2021. The mechanical engineering industry, the largest main sector of the technology industry, employed 138,200 people at the end of June. The number of personnel returned to the level recorded in early 2023, when it was higher than at any other time since the financial crisis.
“Output in the mechanical engineering industry has been growing steadily for more than a year. Order books have strengthened since late 2024, driven in part by the marine and defence industries, and the employment situation is relatively good. This also bodes well for employment in Finland more broadly. After a long period of sluggish economic conditions, this is very welcome news for the Finnish economy,” says Hanne Mikkonen, Chief Economist at Technology Industries of Finland.