The orders index for textile machinery dropped during the second quarter of 2016 due to negative export figures. Based on an industry survey conducted by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, during the period from April to June 2016, overall orders decreased seven per cent compared to the same period last year. The index rating for the second quarter of 2016 came in at 93 points (basis: 2010 = 100).
Growth was recorded in Italy alone, where the index amounted to an absolute value of 55.6 points (+3% compared to April-June 2015). Abroad, the absolute value of the index amounted to 101 points, a 8% drop over the same quarter for 2015.
ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli emphasized the uncertain trend characterizing foreign markets. He stated: “We’re experiencing a period of profound instability, especially in geopolitical terms, resulting in stagnating investments in many of our benchmark markets. Recent events in Turkey and Bangladesh have confirmed a precarious situation, which is sure to have repercussions on an economic level.”
ACIMIT represents around 300 manufacturers employing close to 12,000 people and producing machinery for an overall value of about 2.6 billion euros, with exports amounting to 86 per cent of total sales. Creativity, sustainable technology, reliability and quality are factors behind Italy’s emergence as a global leader in textile machinery manufacturing.