In the fourth quarter of 2013, the machine tool index of orders, issued by the Studies Dept. of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the association of Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots, and automation systems, registered a 4.1% year-over-year increase and an absolute value of 100.6.

In particular, the index of foreign orders went up by 6% compared to the period September – December 2012. The absolute index, now at 108.7, is above average but it is not enough to reassure Italian manufacturers who registered a fluctuating trend in orders in 2013, a year marked by negative results in the first and third quarter and some recovery in the second and fourth quarter.

For domestic demand, figures stayed substantially stable (+0.2%) compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 for an absolute value of 86.1. This is a lower value than the base year benchmarks that confirms the ongoing weakness of the domestic market, says the association.

On an annual basis the index registered a 3.2% reduction, mostly due to the impact of a 15.8% decrease in domestic demand. On the other hand, no brilliant performance was achieved on foreign markets either (-0.7%), where figures were in line with previous year results.

Delays of the "New Sabatini Law" have a negative impact

The President of UCIMU, Luigi Galdabini, says: “The lack of liquidity of Italian companies as well as delays in the entry into force of the "New Sabatini Law" have a negative influence on buyers of production systems who struggle to invest in new machines.”

“After being approved by the Court of Audit some weeks ago, the rules providing for loans with low interest rates for investments in machines are now on hold until the signature of the necessary agreement between the Ministry of Economic Development, the Deposit and Loan Bank and the Italian Banking Association. We hope that this last stage will be completed as soon as possible, finally making these measures effective for companies that have been waiting and postponing their investments for as long as seven months now,” adds the UCIMU President.

In addition, as the turnover in the industry is highly dependent on foreign demand, Luigi Galdabini stresses the need to invest in more extensive campaigns aimed at promoting made in Italy products abroad.�