After a two-year contraction, in 2010 the economy is expected to recover in the machine tool sector, according to data from UCIMU, the association of the industry of this sector. The confirmation was expected from the fair EMO Milan, exhibition dedicated to the world of metalworking staged at the Milan Exhibition October 5 to 10, which closes in fact with positive results despite the difficult economic environment.
In the six days of exhibition, organizers have registered the arrival of 124,660 visitors, representing 99 countries on five continents. Of these visitors as many as 41% were from overseas, confirming the international character of this event. In addition to recording the consent of the operators, EMO MILANO 2009 has attracted the attention of the international press: 377 journalists from around the world have been accredited to cover the event.
After a 2008 and a 2009 that saw a spectacular crash of the orders, it seems that in the second quarter of 2010 the numbers should start to grow for at least 9 months, +10.1% between April and May, +48% in the second quarter, +62.8% in the last. Then we can see positive signs to look to the future with more confidence. The worst seems to be already past and thank goodness for Italy because this is a strategic sector, we are the world's fourth largest producer, after Japan, Germany and China with a turnover of 5.3 billion euro in 2008, and the third exporters in the world with 3.2 billion collected last year by selling welding equipment, machinery and other robotic and Italians machinery abroad.
[ advertisement ]
Germany, China, United States, France and Russia are our main export markets, which in total represent 41% of total exports. In the early months of this year, moreover, China has overtaken Germany as the first target market. In recent months just the exports have suffered the most, recording decreases of 15% compared to July 2008 and by 25.2% compared to August 2008. Precisely for our strong predisposition to exports it is so significant that at EMO Milan there were so many foreigners, even coming from countries outside Europe.
Imports fell by 0.2% over July and 30% in August, although the data for August should not worry too much for seasonal reasons.
All these signs bode well for the recovery of the sector in Italy, as always predominantly characterized by small and medium enterprises, yet these are able to offer high quality products and services. Apart from quality, flexibility, reliability and customization, the Italian offer is characterized by a trade policy that, applying the principle that technology should be shared, leads companies to offer itself in all markets with an approach to full availability dialogue and cooperation.
