ITALY - In 2017 Italian woodworking machinery and technology manufacturers reached a production value of EUR 2.29 billion, up by 11.6% compared to the previous year, according to the preliminary figures processed by Acimall, the Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers’ association.

Italian machinery and equipment exports amounted to Euro 1.6 billion, 7.1% more than in 2016. The top ten destinations include the United States at number one, purchasing Italian woodworking technology for a total value of EUR 165.5 million, followed by Germany (EUR 105.8 million), Poland (EUR 102.4 million) and France (EUR 92.5 million).

The value of machinery imports also increased to EUR 199 million, up 10% compared to the previous year. The domestic Italian market is also continuing to grow, driven by investment supporting measures introduced by the Italian government in recent years. Further progress is expected in the short and medium term: in 2016, Italian wood machinery “consumers” invested EUR 743 million, which increased to EUR 894 million in 2017, Acimall forecasts that in 2018 domestic market will be close to EUR 1 billion, a new record after EUR 900 million in 2001.

“Italian users are clearly going through a period of greater confidence which, combined with state incentives, is generating strong demand, exceeding even the most optimistic expectations”, said Dario Corbetta, Acimall director. “Such results are not just satisfactory for technology vendors, but also anticipate an increasing competitiveness of the entire system: in the past few years, the wood and furniture industry had to face a very complex season, reducing all investments to a minimum. By acquiring more innovative and updated technology, they can now rely on more effective performing tools, produce more and better with an Industry 4.0 approach, leveraging the connection between technology and enterprise management systems to restore their competitiveness and capacity to offer attractive products”.