Solid Forecast for Italian Machine Tool Sector - American Machinist Article
Posted by Machines Italia | 17 Jul 2012
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Noting a "global economic slowdown in 2011" (economic growth, +3.7%, versus +5.2% in 2010), the association asserted that the world machine tool industry managed impressive growth in production (+27.7%) as well as consumption (+27.5%), and UCIMU members secured the fourth position among nations producing similar products (following China, Japan, and Germany), and the third rank among machine tool exporters (after Japan and Germany.)The total value of 2011 Italian machine tool, robot, and automation system output was €4.762 billion ($5.8 billion), a 13.5% increase over 2010 output. Italian domestic market consumption grew by 3.4% to €2.5 billion ($3.07 billion), due to the 19.9% increase in imports (€1.049 billion, or $1.29 billion): foreign machines held a 41.1% market share.
Of greater concern to UCIMU is that domestic machine tool manufacturers' sales to domestic customers decreased -5.7%, to €1.5 billion. Giancarlo Losma, who retired as chairman of UCIMU after the annual meeting, said the industry has achieved impressive, export-based growth in their output and revenues. "However, what worries the Italian manufacturers most is the reduction of sales in the domestic market. Small businesses in the sector, those sized to operate only in the local area, are at risk of collapsing."
