ITALY – The preliminary 2023 balance from the Acimall Studies Office reveals a 3.5 percent production growth compared to 2022.

Despite less satisfactory order trends, companies maintain a robust order backlog, allowing for increased revenues. The industry’s production value reaches a record EUR 2.74 billion , marking the woodworking machinery industry’s resilience amid challenges faced by the broader mechanical industry.

Exports, contributing to about 70 percent of total revenues, increase by 7 percent (EUR 1.93 billion ), while domestic sales decline by 4 percent (EUR 805 million), reflecting a significant drop in imports (EUR 270 million, down by 7 percent from 2022). The Italian market, following substantial investments in recent years, experiences a natural reduction.

Despite a 4.3 percent decrease in apparent consumption (EUR 1.075 billion), Italy remains the fourth global market in wood and furniture technology. The industry maintains a strong trade balance, with an active result of EUR 1.665 billion in 2023, a 9.3 percent increase from 2022, contributing significantly to Italy’s total results in machine tools.

The woodworking machinery industry, returning to more “normal” values after years of booming growth, is expected to continue this trend in 2024. Acimall’s director, Dario Corbetta, notes the industry’s resilience and financial strength, indicating that the current slowdown is perceived as a natural adjustment after extraordinary results in previous years.

Looking ahead, the Industry 5.0 plan and national recovery initiatives may influence results. Financial institutions’ facilitations support connectivity and integration standards outlined in “Industry 4.0,” promoting energy-efficient operations. Tax credits totaling EUR 6.3 billion for the 2024-2025 period aim to further incentivize investment.

Despite recent shrinkage, Corbetta expresses cautious optimism, emphasizing the importance of longer-term policies for enduring demand trends. Xylexpo 2024, an international exhibition organized by Acimall, is positioned to showcase innovation in energy efficiency, providing opportunities for potential customers and users.