Sales record in 2016 for the Italian ceramic machinery suppliers

The Italian ceramic machinery sector continues to have the wind in its sails, closing 2016 with record sales of € 2.028 bill. euros (+2.3 %).

These results were driven by excellent performances both on the domestic market (+4.5 %), bringing turnover in Italy to € 481.3 mill., and on international markets (+1.6 %), which in 2016 generated revenues of € 1.546.4 bill., 76.3 % of the total.

2016 marked the fourth consecutive growth year for the Italian market. Investments made by the important Italian clientele generated turnover growth of more than € 100 mill. (up 44 % on 2013). Employment saw an equally positive trend, rising by 6.2 % (compared to +0.4 % the previous year) to a total of 6 614 people. At the same time, the number of companies operating in the sector remained more or less stable at 147 compared to 148 in 2015.

Exports

The Italian ceramic machinery industry continues to be highly export-oriented and has maintained its world-leading role in the sector. The export shares are divided equally amongst the main regions.

The largest area of export in 2016 was the European Union with a turnover of € 342 mill. (22.1 % of total turnover, 23.3 % up on 2015). Southeast Asia dropped to second place with 15.4 % of total turnover, down from € 277.9 mill. to € 238.2 mill. (-14.3 %). In third place, the Middle East saw 25.1 % growth (€ 233.5 mill., 15.1 % of global exports). North America climbed to fourth place in 2016 with 8.5 % growth to € 174.5 mill. In fifth place was Eastern Europe with € 158.9 mill. (+3.9 %), 10.3 % of total exports. South America fell to sixth place following a 14.6 % contraction to € 158.7 mill. Next came Africa with a total of € 148.6 mill. (-27.1 %), China, Hong Kong and Taiwan with € 90.8 mill. (+20.4 %) and Oceania with a turnover of € 1.2 mill.

Along with exports, a total turnover of almost € 500 mill. was generated by the 67 companies operating outside Italy but controlled by Italian firms.

Brick and tile industry

Sales of machines and equipment to brick and roof tile manufacturers fell from € 156.1 to 152.8 mill. (-2.1 %), although it remained the second largest client sector.

Forecasts for 2017

The initial forecasts for the current year are positive. The figures for the first quarter of the year published by the Acimac Research Department reveal 13.3 % growth driven by the record performance in the Italian market (+60.6 %). “Many of our companies have an almost completely full order book for 2017 and are beginning to plan deliveries for early 2018”, commented Paolo Sassi, President of Acimac. “We therefore expect to see slight end-of-year growth with respect to the already excellent results of 2016.”

Acimac
www.acimac.it

x

Related articles:

Issue 6/2016

Italian ceramic machinery manufacturers report record turnover in 2015

The Italian manufacturers of machinery and equipment for the ceramics industry have achieved a record turnover. According to the National Statistical Survey conducted by Acimac, the sector’s turnover...

more
Issue 5/2018 Acimac

2017 – another record year for Italian ceramic machinery

With a workforce of 7?277 employees (+10?%) 148 companies generated a turnover of € 2.237 bill., a further 10.3?% increase on 2016. “This is the fifth year of steady growth …”, said Acimac’s...

more
Issue 7-8/2012

Italy’s ceramic machinery and equipment suppliers increase turnover by 26.2%

The Italian manufacturers of ceramic machinery and equipment reported 26.2-% growth in turnover for 2011. According to a survey conducted by Acimac, the sector generated a turnover of € 1.738 bill.,...

more
Issue 1/2020 Acimac (Italian Ceramic Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association)

Italian ceramic machinery sees fall in turnover in 2019

According to the preliminary figures published by Acimac, turnover of the Italian ceramic machinery and equipment manufacturers fell to € 1.78?bill. in 2019 (17.5% down on 2018). The biggest falls...

more
Issue 2/2015

Italian Ceramic plant and machinery engineering sees strong growth in 2014

According to the preliminary figures published by the Acimac Statistics Department, the industry’s turnover has risen by 10.5% to reach € 1.89 bill. It would be the second best result in the...

more