For Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots and automation systems, 2024 is ending with a significant decline in almost all economic indicators. 2025 is not a bright year, but a weak trend reversal is expected.
A simple explanation of this is as follows. Riccardo RosaPresident of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Italian association of machine tool, robot and automation systems manufacturers, said during the annual year-end press conference.
Based on preliminary data prepared by the research department and business culture center of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, production in 2024 will be 6.745 billion eurosshows 11.4% decrease than the previous year.
The cause of the economic downturn is Manufacturers’ deliveries in the domestic market have shrunk significantly.did not exceed 2.255 billion euros,In other words 33.5% decrease compared to 2023 And which one The low investment propensity of Italian users is a hindrance.
The extent of this weakness is illustrated in the following diagram. household consumptioncollapsed due to 34.8% to 3.795 billion euros. This trend also affected the performance of: Imported goodsdown 36.5% to 1.54 billion euros.
Italian manufacturer performance overseas market were different, as highlighted in the figure. exportWhich grew up by 6.3% compared to 2023. 4.49 billion eurosnew record value This has never been achieved before.
According to UCIMU’s processing of data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), for the period January to August 2024 (the latest data available), the main destinations of only machine tools provided by the Italian sector were The destination market was the United States (419 million). Germany (€243 million, +12.3%), China (€138 million, -15.3%), India (€132 million, +100%), France (€132 million, +100%), 25 million euros, -9.3%).
The export/production ratio reached 66.6%.
For 2025, the expected outcome should include a return to positive territory, but the increase will be very modest. In particular, according to forecasts compiled by UCIMU’s Research Department and Center for Business Culture; Production will increase again in 2025; 6.94 billion euros (+2.9% compared to 2024).
This result is export – Likely to remain stationary (+0.3%) Comparison with 2024 4.5 billion euros (new record) – similarly Shipments of Italian manufacturers are recovering moderatelyIt should grow to 2,435 million euros (8% increase compared to 2024) due to recovery in domestic demand.
italian consumption The increase in machine tools, robots and automation will 4.07 billion euroscorresponds to 7.2% or more than in 2024. Imported goods It should also benefit from a (weak) recovery in domestic demand, as shown by the forecast figure, which shows an increase of 6.2% to €1.635 billion.
The export/production ratio is expected to decline slightly to 64.9%.
Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU, said: “Since the summer, it has become clear that 2024 will be a “completely lost year” for the Italian machine tool industry, but the Italian machine tool industry can save the final result through overseas activities. I tried (unsuccessfully),” he said. Despite this situation, our Research Department and Business Culture Center had to further revise downward the estimates submitted in September, due to the difficulties we are facing. It is an expression. ”
“As this year draws to a close, it once again highlights the ability of Italian manufacturers to rapidly pivot to the most dynamic sectors in the world, including the United States, where they have been doing well for many years. Looking ahead, concerns that the new U.S. administration may decide to implement new tariff policies on products related to our production make us wary and force us to carefully consider our internationalization activities. ”
“For the past few months, Officina Italiana de Promotion Mexico It was established as a special desk to support Italian UCIMU and Amaplast member companies in their knowledge and penetration into the relevant markets. The same applies to the Central American region. ”
“In the end, I continued.” Riccardo Rosa – The big problem for (Italian) manufacturers remains the domestic market, which is struggling to restart after consuming at an unprecedented pace. This is also due to the long wait for final adjustments and simplifications of Transition 5.0, which was announced by government authorities in 2016. It’s November, but it hasn’t come into effect yet. ”
“If it is true that the pace of 2021-2022 could not be sustained beyond a certain period, it is also true that the value of the Italian market has now declined sharply and is back to 2016 levels. That’s far too little. That’s why important action and countermeasures are needed.”
“Transition 5.0 is certainly a great opportunity, as it will encourage companies to think about the necessary new approaches to the proper use of resources, energy savings and sustainable production, as required by European directives. We believe in the possibility of recourse, but we need to take corrective action as soon as possible, otherwise we risk once again having opportunities that remain only on paper.”
“We particularly appreciate the idea of substituting the possibility of combining energy efficiency certification obligations with new purchases and replacement of aging machinery (with depreciation completed for at least 24 months). This means that if the purchase relates to the replacement of a machine that is at least 7 years old, then the new machine But we also have the possibility of stacking this measure with higher tax rates, incentives for SEZs (Special Economic Zones) and other incentives funded by non-domestic sources. We also highly appreciate extending this measure until the first four months of 2026.”
“If these adjustments are actually included in the budget law, demand will definitely resume, to the benefit of Italian manufacturing as a whole, which will be able to maintain its competitive product offering. need to innovate and also be in line with the sustainability directive defined in the budget law of the “European Union”.
“Regarding the Green Deal – Added Riccardo Rosa – We cannot but draw attention to the position of the European Union, which intends to proceed with its electric transition plan for endothermic engines in accordance with currently established deadlines and procedures. This is severely testing the Old Continent’s manufacturing industry. ”
“The closures of some car factories and the layoffs of thousands of workers, including those in related industries and activities, that we are currently witnessing have the potential to pose serious social problems for most countries in the region. There is a risk of setting off a certain domino effect, starting in Italy. This is absolutely unacceptable, and I think all representative bodies in industry need to speak out before it’s truly too late. This is a game in which entrepreneurs, managers, workers and government agencies participate in the common interest of protecting the industry that is the basis of the Italian and European economic system. ”
“Manufacturing systems are essential elements for the well-being of society. For this reason – Conclusion Riccardo Rosa – From the beginning of the year, we reiterate to government authorities the need to reason about new industrial policy programs that can accompany and support the development of enterprises beyond 2026. ”
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