Ceramic machinery sees strong growth in 2014

The ceramic machinery and equipment manufacturers closed 2014 with an excellent performance. According to the preliminary figures published by the Statistics Department of Acimac (Italian Ceramic Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers' Association), the sector's 2014 turnover will total 1,890 million euros, a year-on-year increase of 10.5%.

If this is confirmed by the final figures due to be published next June, it will be the second best result in the sector's history following the 1,937 million euros posted in 2007.

This excellent result has been achieved through growth in both the international and Italian markets.

At around 1,500 million euros (up 9% year on year), exports continue to make up the largest share of the sector's turnover (almost 79%).

This result is particularly significant considering the overall state of the world economy and the social unrest and economic slowdown affecting many geographical areas.

The sector also registered an excellent performance in the Italian market with total domestic sales of 400 million euros, 16.6% up on 2013 (21.2% of total turnover). This was largely a result of the tax concessions on the purchase of capital goods offered by the so-called "Sabatini Bis" law, which has encouraged ceramic companies to resume investments in manufacturing innovation.

An important contribution was also made by the exhibition Tecnargilla, the world's most important appointment for ceramic technologies held in Rimini in September.

"The forecasts for 2015 are cautious," said Acimac's Chairman, Fabio Tarozzi. "In recent months we have seen a slowdown in the main economic indicators in many countries worldwide."

"Based on the latest information, we are expecting current levels of business to be maintained," continued Tarozzi.