Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE: “Domestic demand remains completely stalled, once again held back by the wait‑and‑see effect created by pending incentives.”
In the first quarter of 2026, the machine tool order index developed by the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU‑SISTEMI PER PRODURRE recorded a 3.1% increase compared with January–March 2025. The absolute value of the index reached 87.1 (base year 2021 = 100).
This growth was driven entirely by strong performance in foreign markets, while the domestic market showed a clearly negative trend.
Foreign orders rose by 28.9% compared with the first quarter of 2025, reaching an absolute value of 95.9. Conversely, orders collected in Italy fell by 28.8%, with an absolute index value of 67.3.
Commenting on the results, UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE President Riccardo Rosa stated:
“The increase in the order index is a positive sign, but it is far from satisfactory for Italian manufacturers. Results abroad are encouraging, but how long can this trend continue? Italy remains completely paralyzed, waiting for government announcements on Hyper‑depreciation—announcements that are taking far too long, just as happened with Transition 5.0.”
He continued:
“Despite the daily geopolitical instability, the growth in overseas business confirms the ability of Italian manufacturers to capture demand where investments are most likely to occur, focusing on the most dynamic regions and sectors. This is the result of months of meticulous work by our companies. However, while foreign demand remains solid, it is increasingly clear that domestic stagnation is caused by uncertainty surrounding the Hyper‑depreciation measure.”
Rosa added:
“How can we once again find ourselves in the same situation as in 2025—caught between continuous government announcements and retractions? Hyper‑depreciation, as conceived, should support industrial innovation, not leave companies suspended between an implementation decree and a directorial decree, effectively freezing transactions that are already lined up. Italian users are ready to invest, but nothing will move until all technical details are clarified.”
He further noted:
“We welcomed the government’s decision to introduce a multi‑year measure such as Hyper‑depreciation, covering 2026–2028. However, the delays—extending well into 2026—bring us back to the frustrating experience of 5.0.”
Rosa also highlighted:
“As Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini has pointed out, the manufacturing sector is not only concerned about geopolitical tensions; it is also discouraged by the slow pace at which national and European institutions are acting.”
Finally, he warned:
“This quarter, Italian manufacturers secured orders thanks to foreign demand, despite the challenges. But what if the conflict in Iran continues over time? This would go far beyond the closure of a single market. It is yet another reason why immediate action is needed to implement Hyper‑depreciation and create the conditions for Italian companies to proceed with the investments they have already planned but are currently forced to postpone.”
“We also call on government authorities to advocate within Europe for a strong and cohesive Union, capable of defining shared policies and programs to address global geopolitical instability before it overwhelms us.”
Cinisello Balsamo, 21 April 2026
For more information contact the following:
Claudia Mastrogiuseppe – Head of External Relations and Press Office Management
+39 0226 255.299 – +39 348 2618701 – [email protected]
Massimo Civello – External Relations and Press Office Management
+39 0226 255.266 – +39 348 7812176 – [email protected]
Filippo Laonigro – Technical Press Office
+39 0226 255.225 – [email protected]
