The Domestic Italian Market Is "Sleepy", The Foreign Markets Are More Dynamic

The domestic italian market is "sleepy", the foreign markets are more dynamic. The survey about the third quarter 2012 once again confirms the situation that has been characterizing the woodworking technology industry for a long time. Italy is in the situation we all know: stagnating consumption, fiscal pressure, a manufacturing system dominated by small and medium businesses, inadequate support to investments and innovation processes are inevitably having a negative impact and delaying even the smallest chance of recovery. The index of domestic orders is at 32, an all-time low since 2002. Across the border, some markets are lively, others less receptive, with alternate trends: some emerging countries are recording significant shrinkage this year, while less active countries are showing signs of growing demand. The figures: the trend survey by Acimall’s Studies Office indicates that the Italian woodworking machinery and tools industry dropped by 3.7 percent in Q3 2012 compared to the same period of last year. Orders from abroad went up by 3.1 percent, not enough to compensate for 25.2 percent reduction on the domestic market. The orders book spans two months approximately, with prices up by 1 percent since the beginning of the year. According to the quality survey, 16 percent of the sample indicated a positive production trend, 48 percent stable and 36 percent decreasing. Employment is stationary according to 68 percent of the interviewees, decreasing according to 24 percent and increasing according to 8 percent. Stocks are stable according to 44 percent, decreasing for 40 percent and increasing for 16 percent. Looking at the forecast survey to have an idea of what might happen in the short term, it is clear that we will have to wait at least until 2013 for Italian market recovery; more optimism for foreign markets, which will grow in the short term according to 32 percent of the sample, while 52 percent expect a stationary trend. The remaining 16 percent expects a drop (balance is plus 16). The domestic market is going to drop according to 56 percent of the sample, stable for 32 percent. 12 percent expect possible growth in the short term (the balance is negative at minus 44). Source: IHB