The orders index for textile machinery for the period October to December 2018, as compiled by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, fell compared to the same period for 2017. The index value stood at 101.9 points (basis: 2015 = 100).
Orders gathered by Italian machinery builders were thus negative both in Italy and abroad. On the domestic front, the index stood at an absolute value of 148 points, that is, fully 12% less than the same period of October to December 2017. However, foreign markets were even further down at -16%, with the index standing at an absolute value of 98.1 points.
ACIMIT President Alessandro Zucchi commented: “The evolution of the domestic market reflects an overall sense of uncertainty that has accompanied the new national budget legislation, not to mention the comparison with a record fourth quarter for 2017. On foreign markets, our machinery manufacturers are having to face geopolitical situations that have considerably slowed investments. Turkey, Iran, and even China, all primary markets for our sector, have recorded a drop in demand for textile machinery, for a variety of reasons.”
“Based on preliminary results elaborated by our Association,” concluded ACIMIT President, “2018 closed with a downswing both in terms of foreign sales and total production. The overall sentiment for 2019 isn’t very positive either, but the entire sector is putting its trust in ITMA, the primary trade fair for the entire world textile machinery industry held every four years. This year, the fair will be held in Barcelona from June 20 to 26. It could very well present an opportunity for a revival of the entire sector.”
ACIMIT represents an industrial sector that comprises around 300 companies (employing roughly 12,000 people), manufacturing machinery for an overall value of about 2.5 billion euros, of which fully 84% is exported. Creativity, sustainable technology, reliability and quality are the primary characteristics that have made Italian textile machinery industry leaders worldwide.