The structure of the ceramic machinery sector remains stable

The structure of the ceramic machinery sector remained essentially unchanged in 2010. At the end of the year there was very little variation with respect to 2009 with 157 companies (four fewer that in 2009) and 6,228 employees (13 more than in 2009). The breakdown of companies by size also remained unchanged. 56% of companies reported a turnover below 2.5 million euro and just 10.6% a turnover of more than 10 million euro. The number of companies in the various classes was inversely proportional to their contributions to sector turnover and their ability to penetrate export markets. For example, the category of companies with turnovers in excess of 10 million euro alone accounted for 75% of total turnover and generated 85% of their turnover outside Italy.

The survey offered good news for company internationalisation, with sharp growth in turnover of the 57 foreign companies in which Italian firms have a majority stake (greater than 51%). In 2010, Italian-controlled companies operating abroad generated a turnover of 338.2 million euro (up 28.7% on 2009).