MEXICO CITY - In 2012, the production of machine tools, robots and automation systems for the manufacturing industry in Italy reached 4.93 billion euros, showing a growth of 3.5% compared to the previous year, reported the Italian association of machine tool producers UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE. This result was made possible by the good performance in exports, which grew by 12%, reaching 3.65 billion euros. During the first nine months of the year, the main markets for Italian machine tools were the following: China, the United States, Germany, Russia, France, Brazil, Turkey, India, Poland and

As global demand increases for Italian Machine Tools, the first ten months of 2012 showed a 14.4% export increase, compared to the same period in 2011 reported UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, Italy's national association for machinery manufacturers in the metalworking sector. Italy's National Institute for Statistics, ISTAT (Istituto Nazionale di Statistica) released that industry had a 2,700 million Euro growth from last year at this time, and UCIMU president Luigi Galdabini reports it is due to the positive performances of Italian manufacturers in foreign markets. China led the export market for

Many OEMs lament that the U. S. economy is treading water. It could be worse. Consider the situation in the Euro zone, which is mired in a recession and facing unemployment above 11%, a debt crisis, and nagging questions about the future of its currency. Despite the turmoil, Italian machine builders are holding their own, according to data from UCIMU, the Italian machine-tool association. Production and exports for the group rose at double-digit rates last year and, while recent orders have declined, the association still predicts export sales for 2012 will be up 12.3%. The Italian machine

The Italian machine tool industry has seen double-digit growth in the past couple of years, and expects to have a solid 2012 also. At the recent Lamiera show in Bologna, Italy, Luigi Galdabini, VP of the machine tool trade association UCIMU - SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, explained with Metalworking Production and Purchasing Magazine editor, Rob Colman, what he considers the reason for this success, and what he is hearing from clients about their needs. Video shot at the Lamiera trade show in Bologna, Italy.