For the first quarter of 2015, orders received by the Italian textile machinery manufacturers grew 8 per cent over the same period of the previous year.
“This was mainly driven thanks to a positive performance in foreign markets,” a press release from the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) said.
The total value of orders placed during the period from January to March stood at 87.3 points with the base year being 2010.
In the reporting period, exports led the way with exports shooting up by 17 per cent year over year, while domestic orders plunged 38 per cent.
Justifying the steep decline in the domestic market, ACIMIT president Raffaella Carabelli said, “ITMA 2015 will be held this coming November.”
“Many Italian textile industry operators are waiting for this event to look into the latest innovations, which will be presented at the event, so that they can plan their investments accordingly,” Carabelli added.
“I am confident that by year’s end, we will be witnessing an upswing in the domestic market, thanks also to the measures the government has adopted to stimulate a recovery in investments in Italy,” she observed.
The Italian textile machinery industry has been able to grow on foreign markets, thanks to a weaker euro against the dollar and some local currencies.
Turkey, India, the United States and other Asian countries, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, are markets that have continued to drive sales for Italian machinery manufacturers in the first quarter.
At the upcoming ITMA 2015, some 420 Italian companies are participating on a bigger scale, up 52 per cent over the 2011 show in terms of exhibition space.
“These figures are a confirmation of the confidence, Italian businesses have in this event,” the ACIMIT president stated.
Over 100,000 sq. metres of space has already been booked at ITMA 2015, which returns to Italy after 20 years and which is also up 26 per cent over the Barcelona show.
In partnership with the Ministry for Economic Development and the ICE-Agency, ACIMIT is implementing a series of initiatives, aimed at enhancing Italy’s presence at ITMA even more.
These include, incoming missions for foreign delegations, awards to foreign university students, intensive communication activities, etc.
