Orders increased 11.3% compared to the same period in 2013, orders from foreign countries were up by 11.8% while demand in the domestic market rose by 9%.
These figures are some way behind the jump in orders experienced in the second quarter of this year – 28.7% up on the same period of 2013. However, the report adds that the mood among the sector is still dominated by uncertainty, partly because of the variable fortunes of different countries and regions.
The US and Australia are strong markets, for example, while business with Russia and its neighbouring countries is “difficult”. The report also highlights the failure of the domestic Italian market to recover as much as had been hoped.
Just under half the survey respondents (45%) said they expected an increase in exports in the short term, 50% expect no change, and 5% predict orders will fall.
“The Italian technology for wood and wood-based materials is still in positive area,” said Acimall director Dario Corbetta. “It’s getting harder to accept that the domestic market has such a low propensity to invest. However, the most proactive and innovative companies are expanding their market share abroad.”
Meanwhile, another Acimall survey ranking exporters of woodworking technology according to value shows Italy in second place. Germany tops the chart, with €788.6m of exports between January and June this year, ahead of Italy with €548.9m. China is third (with €376.8m), Taiwan fourth (€252.2m), Austria fifth (€193.5m) and the US sixth (€136.4m).
