ITALY (Notifix).- According to Acimall (association of Italian manufacturers of woodworking and furniture machinery and plants) the European Union remains the top market for Italian woodworking machinery, with €524 million in 2012 (€558 million in 2011).

The top position is taken by Germany, which was Italy’s best customer in 2012 with sales for € 104 million (versus 97 million in 2011, up 7.6%), as a result of a strong domestic market that is investing in technology. On the other hand, the French market posted a 16.9% reduction reaching €88 million in 2012 against 105 million in 2011. Another under performer was Spain as it continued its downward trend. Before the crisis it was one of Italy’s key customers, with sales exceeding €100 million, while in 2012 it reached just above €24 million.