Recovery in exports, which gained momentum particularly in the last quarter of 2013, with a last minute surge in December, allowed the Italian manufacturers to compensate for the lasting weakness in the domestic market which can be seen in Exhibit 1. The very slight decline in demand from abroad, which represents over 65% of total production, kept revenue losses within 2.5% with respect to 2012 and further improved an already very positive balance of trade. In terms of revenues and exports in 2013, Assocomaplast member companies performed better than the average for the sector, with a positive

In Italy’s leading segments for instrumental mechanics industry, the graphic and paper machinery industry looks optimistic in correlation to the increasingly aggressive international competition and stagnant domestic market. Revenues from exports and export-generated is growing despite balancing the delayed difficulties in the domestic market which in turn is keeping the employment levels stable. This in sum comes from the market survey conducted by the research department of Acimga – the Italian Manufacturers Association of Machinery for the Graphic, Converting and Paper Industry – with

During a recent exclusive interview with Dr. Giorgio Colombo, President of Italy's ASSOCOMAPLAST, the national association for plastics and rubber processing machinery and mold manufacturers' association, he shared his thoughts and insights on the industry's transitional period experienced in 2013, current and future challenges faced by manufacturers and a clear outlook for 2014. President, do you feel that 2013 may be considered a year with more light or more shadow for the Italian plastics and rubber machinery industry? I think that 2013 is a year of transition after strong growth in 2011

CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool Industry and EMO exhibition brand owner, has signed an agreement with the German machine tool builders' association (VDW) and Fondazione UCIMU (the operating structure of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the association of Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots, and automation systems) to agree the schedule and location for the next six editions of the EMO trade show. The EMO fair program to 2017 is: 2017: Hanover – Germany 2019: Hanover – Germany 2021: Milan – Italy 2023: Hanover – Germany 2025: Hanover – Germany 2027: Milan – Italy In

The first edition of MECHA-TRONIKA, the fair of intelligence for the industrial production recently completed its successful run October 23-26 at the Fiera Milano trade show center in Milan, Italy. MECHA-TRONIKA is a premier show dedicated to the systems and technologies able to optimize the machines, processes and systems management. Organised by EFIM-ENTE FIERE ITALIANE MACCHINE and FIERA MILANO, MECHA-TRONIKA is promoted by the official representatives of the sectors on display: AIDAM, Italian association of automation and mechatronics; ASSODEL, national association of electronic suppliers

During the second quarter of 2013, new orders for textile machinery, as elaborated by ACIMIT’s economics and press department, showed signs of growth compared to the same period for 2012 (+12%). The absolute index stood at 92.2 points (basis 2010=100). These figures are the result of a growing rate of new orders abroad (+14%), and a stable domestic market (-1%). Compared to the previous economic quarter, the orders index appears to have improved both domestically and abroad. ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli confirms, “Overall figures show a definite improvement with respect to the previous

Milan, June 18th 2013 – Marco Calcagni (Omet) is the new President of ACIMGA for the two-year period 2013-2014. Elected during the General Member Assembly that took place today in Milan, Calcagni will be flanked by Vice-President Aldo Peretti (Uteco Converting) and by the following offices: Board of Directors Ugo Barzanò, past president (IMS Deltamatic), Silvana Canette past president (Flexotecnica), Felice Rossini past president (Rossini), Daniele Barbui (ACE di Barbui Davide&Figli), Alberto Brivio (BP Agnati), Giovanni Cama (Cason), Alfredo Cerciello (Nordmeccanica), Costanza Cerutti

On 6 June 2013, at Verdellino-Zingonia, CESAP hosted the annual meeting of Assocomaplast (the Italian trade association belonging to Confindustria, which groups together some 160 manufacturers of machinery, moulds and equipment for plastics and rubber). The association's president, Giorgio Colombo, opened his presentation by confirming the dates of the upcoming PLAST trade show, which is organised by Promaplast srl, Assocomaplast's commercial company, and will be held in Milan May 5-9 2015. This means that the three-yearly international plastics and rubber industry event will be opening its