In 2014, the Italian machine tool, robot and automation industry saw production grow by 7.9% to reach 4,840 million euros.
This increase was driven by a recovery in sales to the domestic market, which increased by 33.8% to 2,738 million euros.
This domestic consumption comprised Italian manufacturers (up 44% to 1,587 million euros) and imports (up 21.9% to 1,151 million euros). That said, exports were down by 3.9% to 3,253 million euros.
Moreover, it would seem that the recovery of this Italian industry sector is continuing in 2015; indeed, it is predicted that production will increase by 5.2% this year to 5,090 million euros and that consumption will reach 2,895 million euros — up 5.7% on last year. It is also expected that exports will grow by 5.6% to reach 3,435 million euros.
Luigi Galdabini (pictured), president of UCIMU (
www.ucimu.it) — the Italian Machine Tools, Robots and Automation Manufacturers’ Association — said: “With 2013 a year to be forgotten, 2014 saw the Italian machine tool sector growing again.
"The increased investment in production machinery is certainly good news for the country, as it confirms a general restart of manufacturing in many areas of production — particularly automotive and aerospace. That said, the growth we are experiencing is still weak and not sufficient to completely recover the ground lost in the 2009 crisis.”
While Mr Galdabini praised the Italian Government for the positive effect of some of its initiatives — namely the New Sabatini Law and the Machinery Bonus — on the recovery of Italian consumption, he called for an extension of the latter (a tax allowance for those investing in high-tech machinery or replacing obsolete machinery).