Ceramic machinery: the results for 2013 confirm Italian leadership

Italy's ceramic machinery manufacturing sector has ended 2013 with confirmation of its position of global leadership.

According to the early figures from Acimac (Italian Association of Ceramics Machinery & Equipment Manufacturers), this year's turnover is expected to remain at € 1.670 million, the same level as 2012.  

Considering the general downturn in the construction industry, which has close ties to the ceramics engineering sector, this is an important result.

There was a slight upturn in exports, which accounted for 79% of total turnover at € 1.300 million (+1% on 2012). In the twelve months of 2013, Italian ceramics technologies were installed in all the world's main markets, from Asia to the Middle East, North Africa, the Americas and Europe.

The most dynamic market was Asia, particularly the ASEAN nations and South America, two areas of the world that have shaken off the global crisis of recent years more quickly than the others.

There was a slight downturn in the Italian market, which remained static at € 370 million.

"Once again, our sector has demonstrated surprising resilience" commented Acimac's chairman, Fabio Tarozzi.

"Our companies are still in the lead on the global market, offering customers a series of new applications and improved support services, sacrificing company profits rather than losing out to international competitors" continued Tarozzi.

"This is certainly truer of larger companies, who are better able to establish themselves on the global market. This is why we, as an association, are keeping a strong focus on the business cluster approach, which is the only way to maintain and improve our position of global leadership".

Tarozzi adds "Establishing a presence on the global market is an increasingly difficult task that now demands even more human and financial resources".

"This is why we were extremely pleased to see the new ICE Agency reopening its doors. It is one of the principal public supports for our international operations, and we hope that over the next few years the funding available to ICE will remain high enough to guarantee adequate support for the internationalisation of Italian companies".

As for 2014, the macroeconomic and sector-specific indicators are pointing towards moderate growth, mainly thanks to the expected recovery of investments on the international market.

"Although we are cautious about the outlook for next year", Tarozzi concludes "we are confident that we will see growth over the next 12 months. The presence of Tecnargilla, Italy's flagship trade show, which offers previews of the latest technological innovations, will certainly stimulate the market and will help to improve our companies' results".