Italian ceramic technology sees 7% growth

The 2014 performance of the Italian ceramic machinery manufacturers saw a return to pre-crisis levels. The results of the 23rd National Statistical Survey conducted by ACIMAC reveal 7% growth in the sector compared to the previous year, with a turnover amounting to 1,836 million euros. These results confirm the sector as the most important industrial system in the world for supplies to the ceramic industry.

• Italy marks up double-digit growth

In addition to the strong performance in international markets, 2014 was also the year of a turnaround in the domestic market. Following years of contraction, the turnover generated by sales of machinery to Italian customers grew by 28.2% in 2014 to reach 441.866 million euros.

This much-awaited positive trend was maintained during the first few months of 2015, confirming that the recovery continues.

"This is a very important result that goes beyond mere economic considerations," argued Acimac's chairman Fabio Tarozzi.

 "We believe that the new-found confidence on the part of Italian customers will contribute to the development of new technological solutions. Italian companies have always been important technological partners for developing new products."

• Exports reach all-time high

But it is exports that are the real driving force behind the sector's growth. Last year the turnover generated by overseas sales reached the record figure of 1,395 million euros, 1.6% up on the previous year.

The breakdown of sales by geographical area remained almost uniform in 2014, demonstrating the strong penetration of Italian technologies across all world markets.

The Middle Eastern region has jumped from second to first place in the rankings of top export areas following, reaching a turnover of 249.1 million euros on the back of 15.6% growth.

In second place is the European Union, which has likewise experienced good levels of growth (12%) to reach 226.259 million euros.

Asian countries (excluding China) are in third place, losing the top spot they occupied in the rankings last year following a 2.9% downturn to 214.871 million euros.

In fourth place is the region of Central and South America with 172.082 million euros (down 6.2% on 2013).

Next come non-EU European countries (166.055 million euros, +5.4%), Africa (165.979 million euros, -17.3%), China (115.899 million euros, +14.8%), North America (83.499 million euros, -7.7%), and Oceania (909.975 million euros, +80.1%).

• Internationalisation of production

Turnover generated by foreign companies controlled by Italian groups also increased. In the twelve months of 2014, the 53 foreign companies with a majority of Italian capital generated a turnover of 500.5 million euros, 8% up on 2013.

• The sector

The structure of the sector has remained largely unchanged. Last year the 152 companies operating in the ceramic machinery and equipment manufacturing sector employed a total of 6,203 people (up 1.8% on 2013).

The breakdown of companies by size class also remain similar. 56.6% of the total have a turnover below 2.5 million euros, while at the other end of the scale just 11.2% have a turnover of more than 10 million euros. These latter also have a greater export share, reflecting the inversely proportional relationship between percentage of the sector's turnover and foreign market penetration.

• 2015 forecasts

"The sector reported record results in the first quarter of 2015, with an average growth of +42.4% driven by strong performances in both the domestic and international markets," commented Acimac's Chairman Fabio Tarozzi.

"However, these results are unlikely to be maintained over the next few months," continued Tarozzi. "Our Research Department's forecasts suggest that sales will stabilise at a slightly higher level than that of 2014."