System reports 16% growth in its ceramic division in the first half of 2014

The System Group of Fiorano Modenese is continuing its period of strong growth. After reporting a 12% increase in total turnover to 320 million euros in 2013 and an export share of 78%, revenues from sales of ceramic industry machinery (a division that makes up 63% of the group's total turnover) rose by 16% in the first half of 2014 with respect to the same period the previous year. Second half forecasts point to a further improvement. Exports showed particularly buoyant growth, although the Italian domestic market also accounted for a respectable 33.7% of turnover. The division has strengthened its presence in the Middle East, which alone accounted for 20% of turnover. Sales also grew in Russia, South Korea and Spain, where investments are resuming after a slack period.

All the other divisions of the Group led by Franco Stefani reported strong performances: the large intra-logistic plants installed above all in the food and beverages industries; the Modula vertical warehouses; AGV automatic guided vehicles; and industrial electronic controllers.

In the ceramic sector, System's strong results are largely attributable to the GEA pressing system, a technology that is capable of producing ever larger ceramic sheets in multiple sizes. A total of 7 systems were sold recently in Spain, Russia, Turkey, Thailand, Italy, Indonesia and Japan, while negotiations are also underway in Italy.

"Our plants deliver efficiency and savings of energy and raw materials," said Franco Stefani commenting on the group's half-year performance. "These are the factors behind the success of technologies such as Gea and Creadigit in the digital decoration segment."

The group has continued to expand its workforce both in Italy and abroad and now has 1,376 employees, including 895 in the Sassuolo ceramic district. On the strength of these results, it is planning to make new investments in the ceramics and logistics sectors.