According to data supplied by
Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre — the Italian machine tool manufacturers’ association — the machine tool order index in the fourth quarter of 2025 recorded a 13.6% downturn compared to the period October-December 2024. The absolute value of the index stood at 68 (base year 2021=100).
On the domestic front, there was a 2.9% decrease in orders compared with Q4 2024, for an absolute index value of 56.3. The decline in overseas orders was even greater with a fall of 17.1% for absolute value of 69.3.
That said, on an annual basis, order intake remained positive, thanks to the increases reported in the first three quarters, achieving +3.1% (absolute index 67.6) compared to the 2024 figure. This result was based on +38.9 % for domestic orders (absolute index 55.1) and -9.4% for foreign orders (absolute index 76.4).
Riccardo Rosa, Ucimu’s president, said: “The overall outcome of the order collection regarding 2025 is in line with that of the last two years and thus disappointing once again; and regarding the last quarter, it seems clear that the business slowdown in foreign markets was not offset by a substantial recovery in the domestic market.”
High expectationsHe continued: “We are currently awaiting the decrees for the new measure that will accompany investments in new technologies from now until 2028; Italian companies have high expectations for this measure, which will enable users to better plan their purchases.
“However, it is essential that the decrees are issued very quickly so that we can operate immediately with clarity, supporting demand at a time when the international scenario is putting a strain on the industrial systems of traditional economies.”
Mr Rosa concluded: “Turning our gaze abroad, the great uncertainty caused by geopolitical instability heavily affects the performances of our companies. Ongoing conflicts, Trump’s trade strategy with continuous backtracking on tariffs, the crisis in the automotive industry and in Germany, and the closure and inaccessibility of certain markets — such as Russia and China — are seriously limiting our export activity, which has always been one of our strengths.”
Mr Rosa also mentioned the free trade agreement between the EU and India, highlighting the fact that India is currently the fourth-largest export market for Ucimu members.