The Italian Ceramic machinery industry reports double-figure growth

The Italian ceramic and brick machinery and equipment manufacturing industry reported a strong performance in 2011. According to figures published in Acimac's 20th statistical survey, the sector achieved a turnover of 1,738 million euro, 26.2% up on 2010. These figures not only confirm the unchallenged leadership position of Italian technology but also demonstrate the success of the industry's strategy of investing in research and innovation while promoting internationalisation and business partnerships.

The Italian market is likewise buoyant and has seen renewed growth after a number of years of stagnation, with turnover up 9.2% from 320.7 million euro to 350.3 million euro. This marks a sharp trend reversal with respect to the last three years (-4.6% in 2010), although the figures still fall far short of pre-crisis levels (-28.5% on 2008).

Exports once again proved crucial for the sector, accounting for 79.8% of total turnover and generating revenues of 1,387.5 million euro (up 31.3% on 2010).

The results achieved in 2011 made up for 94% of the sector's losses suffered in 2009 and represented the best performance out of all capital goods manufacturing sectors.

Acimac's outgoing chairman Pietro Cassani made the following forecast for the current year: "We have to be cautious given the slowdown in growth in almost all the world's economies, even in locomotives such as India and China. Initial estimates for 2012 suggest that we will maintain the turnover levels reached at the end of 2011, but our sector must continue the difficult task of adapting to the new economic and market conditions."