ITALY - Acimall, the association representing Italian woodworking and furniture machinery and technology manufacturers, has released a report indicating a sustained decrease in orders, mirroring trends observed in previous quarters.

The data, derived from Acimall’s Studies Office's customary quarterly survey, reveals that orders for October-December 2023 have decreased by 23.6% compared to the same period in 2022.

This downturn can be attributed to a combination of reduced international orders (down by 6.3%) and a significant decline in domestic demand (decreased by 48.1%), largely influenced by a cautious stance due to the anticipated implementation of new "Industria 5.0" measures.

Nevertheless, Acimall highlights that despite the decline, the wood and furniture technology industry still holds a substantial backlog of orders equivalent to 4.5 months, a result of prudent savings during previous years of heightened demand. Additionally, prices have risen, showing a 1.9% increase since January 2023.

Regarding production outlook, the survey indicates that 55% of the surveyed companies foresee significant production stability, 25% expect an increase, and 20% anticipate further reductions. Moreover, 10% of the companies project employment growth, while 70% expect substantial stability, and 20% express concerns about potential reductions.

In the domestic market, data from Acimall's Studies Office shows that 50% of surveyed companies expect stability, 15% anticipate increased orders, and 35% foresee reductions.

Expectations for foreign markets are more evenly distributed, with 40% predicting stable trends, 35% expecting deterioration, and 25% anticipating an increase in orders.

Acimall Director Dario Corbetta reiterated the association's long-standing message, acknowledging the industry's recent favorable conditions but emphasizing the need to adapt to a return to pre-Covid levels. He added that Italian companies have historically proven their ability to navigate through challenging circumstances.