Exports of Italian machinery have risen 37% during the first quarter of 2011, compared with the same period last year, according to the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT). Compared with growth during 2010, the number of Italian exports has increased by 27%. Italian machinery manufacturers will be looking to build on this success at ITMA in September.

Approximately 320 companies are expected to exhibit at the event across 20,000sq m or 25% of total space in terms of exhibitors and surface area. The Italian contingent comprises of 73 manufacturers from the spinning sector, 13 from the nonwovens industry, 42 weavers, 26 knitwear manufacturers, 112 finishing specialists and 54 in other areas covered by the show. “Italy’s presence is significant not just from a numerical standpoint, but also in terms of quality,” said ACIMIT president Sandro Salmoiraghi.

“The technology proposals being put forward by our companies remain among the most advanced. “The growth of our export market, both in 2010 (up 27% over the previous year) and for the first three months of 2011 (up 37% over the first quarter of 2010), bears witness to the fact that textile manufacturers from a variety of different countries around the world continue to place their trust in our machinery to provide greater added value to their manufactured products.”