Italian production of woodworking technology increased to Euro 1,542 million

May 11, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. The Italian production of woodworking technology increased to Euro 1,542 million, i.e. 25.6% more than in 2009. Also export figures are positive (Euro 1,067 million, 21.7% higher than the previous year) and import as well, amounting to Euro 182 million, as much as 48% more than in 2009. Trade balance amounted to Euro 882 million, plus 17.4% over 2009 and apparent consumption to Euro 660 million plus 38.3%, as Acimall said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Today, Italian production is still at around 75% of pre-crisis turnover. All in all, the “economic fabric” of Italian woodworking technology companies has resisted, leveraging all available resources and energy. Imports were influenced by two factors, as repeatedly stressed by Acimall analysts: on one hand, a higher flow of machines from China (increased by at least 35% compared to the previous twelve months), on the other, the attention of Italian companies towards “made in Germany” technology. As already mentioned, woodworking is at home in Italy: advanced operations, taste, design, high quality that requires the use of high-end technology, a market segment where Italian production is inevitably confronted with German technology. Italian companies have been “sowing” in India for a long time and are now reaping the fruits of their hard work, with turnover around Euro 30 million, compared to Euro 8.2 million in 2009. This result brings India closer to Turkey (Euro 30 million in 2010, Euro 19 million in 2009). Spain (Euro 40 million import of equipment from Italy, 16% more than in the previous year) is still suffering, while the United States are improving (Euro 40 million in 2010, Euro 32 million in 2009). Russia has recovered (Euro 49 million in 2010 against Euro 34 million in 2009) and, in more general terms, we can say that the European Union has resisted well, with France and Germany in the forefront. The 1Q 2011 confirmed the signals of recovery announced in 2010, though the situation is highly diversified: the companies that have effectively reacted to the crisis, restoring values in line with 2007, are counterbalanced by others that are still suffering both from the domestic market crisis and from lagging recovery on their major destination markets. Most of all, very small companies are in trouble, as they lack the necessary resources to address the most dynamic markets (Asia and South America). Woodworking technology orders increased by 20.4% compared to the same period in 2010. The book of orders is stable around two months, while prices have been slightly increasing since the beginning of the year.