ASSAGO, ITALY -- Italian plastics and rubber machinery makers expect to produce 4.2 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in equipment this year, with exports of 2.6 billion euros ($3.45 billion), according to Italy's plastic and rubber machinery association Assocomaplast. The association examined imports and exports from the first nine months of the year and found that exports increased 9 percentage points, while imports increased 2 percent. Compared to 2010-2011, the balance of trade for the sector increased 11 percent to 1.41 billion euros ($1.5 billion). Europe is still the top export destination

Italy's association for textile machinery, ACIMIT, reported textile machinery orders for the third quarter of 2012 grew by eight percent (8%) over the previous quarter, for an absolute value of 108.2 points (2005=100). A comparison with the same period in 2011 showed an even greater increase (+53%), a positive result which is due solely to orders originating from foreign markets, whereas the situation in Italy highlighted a decidedly opposite and negative trend. In fact, orders from foreign markets rose 11% compared to the period from April to June 2012, for an absolute value of 123.3 points

According to statistics provided by the association, Assocomaplast, Italian imports and exports for the sector recorded new gains in the first half of 2012 with respect to the same period in 2011. Italian exports for the sector, marked a substantial increase (+11%) exceeding 1.23 billion euros overall. This has produced measurable improvement in the balance of trade, which has reached figures well in excess of 900 million euros. Regarding the principal types of machinery exported, extruders, accounting for roughly 12% of the total, continue to record double-digit growth, approaching twenty

Becoming More Globally Competitive Mr. Perez, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services at the International Trade Administration, details the programs and policies that the ITA has implemented to strengthen U.S. manufacturers' global competitiveness and to enhance U.S. exports. This presentation was filmed at the "Fast Forward: Strategies for Solving Manufacturers' Most Challenging Problems" Machines Italia conference in Plymouth, Michigan on June 21, 2012.

Italian exports of graphic, paper and converting machinery have increased by 4.82% in the first quarter of 2012. Imports are also showing an impressive + 9.94%. Such are the figures published by the Research Center of trade association ACIMGA based on Istat data. The same source reveals that the USA remains the first buyer of Italian machinery with a 68.8 % increase, followed by Germany and China – over the last quarter, the latter has doubled its orders. “We are relieved to see the plus sign in front of these figures, in sharp contrast with the general economic scenario, especially in

For Italian textile machinery, 2012 begins with greater stability than the previous year. In fact, in the first quarter of the year, orders are up by a modest 2% compared to the last three months of 2011. According to joint surveys conducted by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, the overall orders index for the January- March 2012 period shows an increase of 2% over the previous quarter with a value of 91.2 points. Nevertheless, there is a different trend between orders in Italy and those in foreign markets. In the Italian market, the index increased 34%

According to recent statistics from Istat, the Italian Statistical Agency, elaborated by Unacea, a newly formed association representing the Italian construction equipment industry, Italian exports of construction machinery and equipment grew by a stunning 23% with respect to the previous year. For 2011, the total value of the Italian export of construction machinery and equipment worldwide surpassed 2,226 million Euros. The biggest growth was registered within the earthmoving machinery sector (+42%), followed by tower cranes (+23%), drilling and boring machines (20%), on-road construction

The technology training centers were created with the principal objective of positioning Italy within those countries in economic ascension. They not only illustrate Italy as a dependable provider of machinery, but as well as a qualified intermediator in training and project development on specification. Italian capital goods represent the best of what's "Made in Italy" to the world market. Advanced technologies, innovative solutions, flexibility and creativity are the pillars of strength that characterize what Italy has to offer. Among the most technologically advanced countries, Italy