MEXICO CITY - In 2012, the production of machine tools, robots and automation systems for the manufacturing industry in Italy reached 4.93 billion euros, showing a growth of 3.5% compared to the previous year, reported the Italian association of machine tool producers UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE.

This result was made possible by the good performance in exports, which grew by 12%, reaching 3.65 billion euros. During the first nine months of the year, the main markets for Italian machine tools were the following: China, the United States, Germany, Russia, France, Brazil, Turkey, India, Poland and Mexico.

In particular, and according to the latest results, sales grew in China (9.5%) with 299 million; in the United States (42.5%), with 264 million; in Russia (31.3%) with 131 million; in France (9.9%) with 128.7 million; in Turkey (52.2%) with 107 million; in India (1.2%) with 99.6 million; in Poland (36.2) with 94 million and in Mexico (93.9%) with 81.4 million.

An opposite trend was recorded in Germany (-1.4%), which still remains the third export market of the sector for Italy, whose sales reached 259 million euros.

A different trend is shown in the domestic market. Consumption decreased by 13%, reaching 2.22 billion euros. Weak demand has had a strong impact on deliveries by manufacturers, which decreased 14.8%, to drop to 1.28 billion euros, and on imports, which fell 10.4% and only reached a value of 940 million euros.

Predictions for 2013 indicate a slow decline in the Italian machine tool, robot and manufacturing automation systems industry. In particular, the production expectation will increase 1.2%, reaching €4.99 billion.

Compared to the positive trend of the foreign market, which according to forecasts will grow 2.1% with 3,725 million euros, the domestic market will contract significantly. Consumption will decrease by 1.6% with 2,185 million euros. The structural reduction of the domestic market will have an impact both on deliveries by manufacturers, which will decrease by 1.2% with 1,265 million euros, and on imports, which will decrease by 2.1% with 920 million euros.

Luigi Galdabini, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, said that the positive results of Italian manufacturers are due to a good performance in foreign markets. Exports, both in emerging and traditional markets, have, in fact, made it possible to close the year at the same levels as 2011.

He added that in this way this sector of the industry has recovered much of the ground lost with the 2009 crisis. However, the situation is actually much more complex due to the structural reduction in the domestic market.

Source: http://www.manufactura.mx/industria/2013/01/24/italia-crece-en-produccion-de-maquinaria