ITALY (Notifix).-  The traditional survey by the Studies Office of Acimall (the Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers’ association), based on a statistic sample of manufacturers of all types and sizes, reveals decreasing orders down by 1.1 percent compared to the same period of 2012. 

Demand from abroad decreased by 0.9 percent, while the decline on the domestic market was 1.4 percent. Order back log is at 2.6 months, while prices have been growing by 0.9 percent since the beginning of the year. Revenues in the quarter under scrutiny dropped by 3 percent compared to April-June 2012.

The forecast survey outlines possible short-term industry trends: moderate optimism for export, but nobody expects a rally of sales in Italy. Foreign orders will record growth according to 27 percent of the sample, while they are expected to stay at the same level according to 54 percent. The remaining 19 percent expects a drop (balance is plus 8). The domestic market will be shrinking further according to 27 percent of the sample and remain stable according to 73 percent of the sample.

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