Acimall expects strong recovery of Italian woodworking machinery market by the end of 2014

Jul 22, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. The Italian wood processing machinery and tool industry recorded a 2.1% decrease in 2013 with respect to the previous year, achieving a production value of Euro 1,537 million, Italian association Acimall reported.

The year was characterized by substantial stability. On the foreign front the markets maintained good levels of receptivity, while on the domestic front a strong recovery is expected by the end of 2014. The sector is characterised by a strong propensity for exports, with over 77% of the total production destined for the foreign markets .

The machinery sold abroad amounted to a total of Euro 1.187 billion, a slight decrease with respect to 2012 (-3.5%) .

The acquisition of machinery from abroad increased by 9.4% with respect to the 2012 level, reaching a total of Euro 143 million. This increase followed a two-year period during which imports were negative.

The apparent consumption approached Euro 500 million, for an improvement of 4.8% compared to 2012 .

Estimates indicate that there are about 270 major companies operating in the wood processing machinery and tool industry, with a work force of more than 9,000 employees .

Considering the number of companies and the sector's turnover, there are three major industrial centres, located in Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna.

The Italian woodworking machinery and tools industry annual report 2013