The Italian woodworking machinery manufacturing industry suffered a 56% reverse in orders during the first quarter.
The result, compared to a year earlier, confirms the negative trend seen during the course of 2008.
ACIMALL (the Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers’ association) said export orders were down 56% and domestic orders dipped by 50%.
Manufacturers reported a forward order book of 1.3 months at the end of the first quarter. Prices slipped by 0.1%.
But Acimall’s forecast survey shows some signs of recovering confidence, especially for international markets, leaving room form “moderate optimism”.
