The results from Acimall – the Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers association – are in line with an earlier preliminary full-year report which predicted a 10% drop in reduction.
"The fourth quarter showed a clear trend reversal compared to substantial stability that had characterised the past three years," said Acimall.
"Orders from abroad are slowing down, a variation that can be considered physiological in view of the satisfactory trend recorded in the past three-year period. The painful spot is the domestic market, that remains at hardly encouraging levels."
Acimall’s survey revealed that 14% of respondents indicated a positive production trend, 39% a stable situation and 47% a decreasing trend.
Looking forward, the Italian domestic market shows "no encouraging signals", while there are no clear indicators on the international market.
