A record-breaking 2018 for the Italian machine tool, robot and automation manufacturing industry. Stationary trend expected for 2019

Ranking fourth among manufacturing countries, the Italian industry of the sector confirmed its third place among exporting countries, also strengthening its fifth place in the consumption ranking, as a testimony to the dynamism of domestic demand that took advantage of the incentive provisions for competiveness (Industry 4.0/Enterprise 4.0). 

On the other hand, the forecasts for 2019 show a setback, for the first time after 5 years, mainly due to a situation of uncertainty and instability, both in the domestic and in the foreign markets.

THE FINAL RESULTS OF 2018 

According to the final data processed by the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture of UCIMU, in 2018, the output of machine tools, robots and automation systems reached 6,775 million euro, reporting an 11.3% upturn versus 2017. The outcome was due both to the positive trend of manufacturers’ deliveries in the domestic market, up by 15.2% to 3,112 million euro, and to exports, which attained 3,663 million euro, growing by over eight percentage points compared with the previous year. 

In 2018, the main markets of destination for the Italian product offering of the sector were Germany (394 million euro +15.1%), the United States (354 million euro, +11.5%), China (341 million euro, -0.4%), Poland (229 million euro +41.7%), France (227 million euro, +6.7%), Spain (144 million euro, +7.9%), Russia (100 million euro, +11.9%) and Turkey (90 million euro, +2.6%).

The result of consumption was very positive: for the fourth consecutive year, it recorded a double-digit growth, totalling 5,164 million euro, i.e. 15.7% more versus 2017. 

THE FORECASTS FOR 2019 

The trend of the Italian industry of the sector will remain more or less stationary in 2019, as highlighted by the forecast data processed by the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture of UCIMU. In particular, production should slow down its growth, increasing by 3.6% to 7,020 million euro; exports should reach the value of 3,900 million euro, i.e. 6.5% more compared with 2018. The export/output ratio is expected to grow to 55.6%.