Orders of machine tools : in the third quarter, slight decrease
In the third quarter 2016, the index of machine tool orders, processed by the Studies Dept. of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, recorded a 5.8% decrease compared with the same period of the previous year. Exactly as it had happened in the second quarter of 2016, the outcome was due to the negative trend of foreign markets.
The index of foreign orders registered a 6.8% drop, compared with the period July-September 2015, showing the weakness of international demand, already evidenced by the latest available export figures.
Actually, even according to the UCIMU processing of ISTAT data concerning the first seven months of 2016 (latest available survey), the exports of Italian machine tools decreased by 4.7%. A sales increase was reported in Germany (+9.6%), France (+37.4%) and Poland (+5.8%), whereas sales slowed down in the United States (-7.9%), second outlet market, and in China (-16.8%), third destination area of the “Made in Italy” of the sector.
On the other hand, the positive trend keeps on with regard to the orders collected by Italian manufacturers in the domestic market, increased by 11% in the observed period. This is the thirteenth consecutive quarter of growth, as a testimony to the positive situation characterising the Italian market, as actually proved by the outcome of 30.BI-MU/SFORTEC INDUSTRY, the biennial machine tool exhibition that took place at the beginning of October at fieramilano Rho.
Over 62,000 entries, 6% more visits by professional operators compared with the previous edition, 1,076 exhibiting enterprises and 90,000 square metres of total exhibition area. This is the outcome of 30.BI-MU/SFORTEC INDUSTRY that, for the first time in Italy, presented the technologies of Industry 4.0 applied to machine tools.
Massimo Carboniero, President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE stated: “Of course, we are not pleased with the slight slowdown shown by the index: decreases were reported in some important foreign markets, such as the United States, engaged in the final rush of elections, whereas other markets slowed down, for example China, and others had difficulties, for example Russia. However, we don’t worry as our history teaches us that Italian manufacturers are really capable of re-orienting the offering towards the liveliest areas. This time, they are precisely starting from Italy, which is experiencing a definitely positive situation: the demand for machine tools is running due to the need for modernising production plants in the country, supported by several provisions, such as the New Sabatini Law and the Super Depreciation”.
“The effectiveness of these measures, also evidenced by the survey carried out by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE – continued the President Massimo Carboniero – convinced the Government authorities to transform them into the “pillars” of the National Plan “Industry 4.0”, included in the Stability Law for 2017”.
“Confirmation of the 140% Super Depreciation for purchases of machinery, re-financing of the New Sabatini Law, introduction of the 250% Hyper-Depreciation for investments in innovative technologies, increase of tax credit from 25% to 50% for investments in R & D: these are the key points of the Plan, at last bringing the manufacturing industry back to the spotlight of the Italian economic strategy”.
“In this sense – concluded Massimo Carboniero – the National Plan “Industry 4.0” is a real instrument for relaunching the competitiveness of our industrial system. The Association fully agrees on the action of the Government that decided to support the Italian manufacturing industry with concrete measures, encouraging both demand and supply of technology. In other words, these measures will reward all virtuous enterprises: those that want to invest, making up “demand”, as they will enjoy important tax reliefs, and those that make innovation, i.e. “supply”, because, as a consequence, they will find a livelier and more receptive market and will be able to rely on tax credit for R & D activities”.
