In the first quarter 2024, the index of machine tool orders, elaborated by the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, highlighted an 18.9% downturn over the period January-March 2023. The absolute value of the index was 77.9 (base year 2021=100).The negative outcome was due to the reduction in the orders received by Italian manufacturers, both in…