The Italian woodworking machinery market continues to grow

The positive trend of the Italian market in percent value is continuing, after too much time with few investments in instrumental goods. In the July-September 2016 quarter, wood and wood-based materials machinery increased by 18.3 percent compared to the same period of 2015 (growth had  amounted to 21.5 percent in the previous quarter). And just like three months ago, Italy gave the most significant contribution in terms of percent growth, with a solid 28.8 percent after 30.4 percent in the April-June period.

Minor worries are coming from the international markets, which in the period under scrutiny showed less interest for Italian technology (minus 3.1 percent) compared to the same quarter of 2015 (in the April-June 2016 quarter, orders had increased by 17.2 percent).

We are experiencing an unexpected “adjustment” of our economic scenario, although there were signals that something was finally changing also in the Italian market, said Lorenzo Primultini, Acimall president, commenting on the figures on the quarterly survey carried out by the Studies Office of the Italian manufacturers’ association. For a long time we had been waiting for a rally of investments by “our” entrepreneurs – Primultini added – and in this quarter there is clear evidence of a new course; our industry is much livelier, also as a result of the positive effects of government measures and the necessity to renew and upgrade machinery and plants after postponing for several years. Not only: If the “Industria 4.0” National Plan, that has been hitting the headlines in recent weeks, is passed, it will be an additional lever to improve our results in the domestic market, with a boost that – without being too optimistic – might bring the end of a very difficult period. We hope that tax facilitations for new furniture in renovation projects and the bonus for young pairs are maintained also in the next Stability Law, Primultini concluded.

The figures of Acimall’s quarterly survey indicate that revenues have increased by 15.8 percent compared to the same period in 2015, the orders book covers 3 months and prices have recorded a 1.3 percent variation since January 1st.

Quality survey
Acimall’s Studies Office also carries out a quality survey for the quarter under scrutiny: according to 28 percent of the sample, production is recording a positive trend, 50 percent indicate “substantial stability”, while 22 percent report shrinking volumes. Employment is stationary for 83% of the sample and increasing for 17%. Available stocks are stable according to 72 percent of the sample companies, increasing for 22 percent and decreasing for 6 percent.

Forecast survey
But what can the woodworking machinery and technology industry expect in the near future? Acimall’s forecast survey tries to look into the crystal ball: 39 percent of interviewees believe that foreign orders will grow, 56 percent see a period of stability and only 5 percent expect a decrease (with a positive balance by 34 points). A similar share, 5 percent, predict a decrease in domestic orders, while 67 percent see stability ahead, and 28 percent expect an enduring period of growth (positive balance by 23 points).

* For further information: www.acimall.com