During the first quarter of 2012, the Italian machine tool index of orders, processed by the Studies Dept. of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE has recorded a 10.5% increase when compared with the same period of last year, with an absolute total of 124.7 (2005=100).
A continuation of the positive trend, which, with the exclusion of the last assessment for 2011, shows 8 consecutive quarters of growth, confirms the good performance of the Italian enterprises of the sector. According to the UCIMU, however, the result was determined by foreign demand.
The index relating to foreign orders has in fact increased by 12% in comparison with the same period of last year, for a total absolute record value of 158.9.
On the other hand, the index relating to internal orders, increased by 0.1% in relation to the first quarter of 2011, for an absolute value of 69.3, showing the weakness of the Italian home market, wher demand remains stagnant.
Giancarlo Losma, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated that “the continuation of this condition of investment freeze in production technology, forces us all to a careful assessment of the risk of loss of competitiveness of the industrial network of the country, at all levels within the production chain.
“The failure to updat the production plants,” continues Giancarlo Losma, “directly impacts on the manufacturing processes, and therefore on the products of the “made in Italy” themselves, which run the risk of being heavily attacked by the foreign offer. The danger that our industrial system may be left behind is even stronger when we consider that the competitors, many of which have recently appeared on the international scenario, are continuing to invest in advanced, efficient, eco-compatible machinery, capable of meeting safety and energy saving requirement, reducing more and more the historic gap with the Italian industry.
“Without a precise industrial development strategy, the current downsizing of the manufacturing sector will become an irreparable process, with detrimental consequences for the economic and social frameworks of the country. For this reason,” continues Losma, “it is necessary that the government authorities give a clear signal of support to the enterprises, particularly medium-small ones which, when taken as a whole – represent the biggest source of employment.
“The time has therefore come, to avoid pointless waste and expenses,” states the president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, “and particularly in times like the current one, resources must be directed to projects for growth that will support the recovery of industrial activities, which represent the real vocation of the country”.
“On the other hand,” added Alfredo Mariotti, General Director of the Association, “machine tool companies, including foreign ones, still believe in the Italian market, and know the unexpressed potential of the demand. This is demonstrated by the figures for the attendance to BI-MU, the bi-annual exhibition of the sector, which will take place next October in Milan. To date, the figures show a 26% increase in purchases of exhibition space when compared with the space purchased by the same period in 2010 (the previous edition).
