In the first quarter of 2025, the order index for machine tools compiled by the Centro Studi & Cultura di Impresa of Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre recorded an increase of 8.5 percent compared to the period January-March 2024. The absolute index value has leveled off at 84.5 (base 100 in 2021).
The resumption of manufacturing activities on the domestic market was the sole decisive factor for the result, while the performance on the foreign market was negative.
In particular, orders collected on the domestic market increased by 71.5% compared to the first quarter of 2024, with an absolute index value of 94.5.
Instead, the order index for orders collected abroad recorded a decrease of 18.2% compared to the same period last year. The absolute index value leveled off at 74.4.
Riccardo Rosa, President of Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre, explained: “The year 2025 begins with an increase in orders collected. This is good news which, after a decidedly complicated 2024, shows that the short and medium-term prospects can be better than in the recent past”. President Rosa continued: “The context in which we are operating is worrying, especially as far as foreign countries are concerned.”
Riccardo Rosa also commented: “For the third quarter in a row, the orders collected in Italy showed a positive sign and, according to this latest survey, the increase was so high that the index approached the average level of 2021, a very positive year.”
“The clarifications on the functioning of the long-awaited transitional measure 5.0 have obviously had an impact: companies – after recording the technical details and reducing the shadow areas – have implemented their purchase intentions, which have materialized in new and effective orders. This is due to the fact that in Italy the demand for new production systems is still lively enough and corresponds to the goal of upgrading plants according to the two-key principle, i.e. digital and green. This trend is also confirmed by the exhibitors at Lamiera.”
“The fact that only 11% of the funds made available for this measure (i.e. around 700 million euros of the planned 6.3 billion euros) have been used so far shows that the measure drawn up in this way was not suitable for companies. Because we know from our own experience – according to Riccardo Rosa – that a measure that is easy to implement is more easily accepted by the market, as has happened with the 4.0 policy.”
“In this context,” said the President of Ucimu, “it is crucial that the authorities provide clarity regarding Industry 4.0. Since January, we have been waiting for the instructions to reserve the Industry 4.0 tax refund claim from the companies. As the actual availability of funds is visible compared to the allocated cap of €2.2 billion, domestic demand could accelerate further in the next quarter and thus realize its full potential. Unfortunately, the effect could diminish shortly afterwards, as companies will no longer have enough time to produce. It would therefore make sense to immediately prepare a measure, while checking its feasibility in Europe, to reclaim the unspent funds and make them available for incentive measures under the 4.0 and 5.0 models in the next three years 2026 to 2028.”
“On the other hand, the instructions that Italian companies abroad have received in these first months of 2025 are different. The global geopolitical crisis, the two open conflicts in our vicinity, the economic and political weakness of Europe, the crisis in the automotive sector and, in particular, the resounding return of Trump are deeply shaking the international scenario. The American president’s constant changes of mind regarding a possible customs policy, differentiated by country and type of goods, have contributed to a general uncertainty never seen before in recent history. This requires an active engagement of all stakeholders in the economic system to address this new condition.”
“For our part,” added President Rosa, “as entrepreneurs, we must continue to work to differentiate our markets. The United States is the first market for Made in Italy, followed by Germany, China, France and Turkey. Our efforts must be aimed at closely monitoring the areas that may be of interest to us in the coming years, starting with India, Mexico and South America, through support and active participation in activities launched by representative organizations in support of companies. In the case of Ucimu, we have developed initiatives to promote the entry of partner companies into areas with high business potential. Examples of this are Oficina Italiana de Promoción Mexicó, Desk India with a location in Mumbai and Desk China in Beijing, and the ITC and IMT networks in India and Vietnam, which aim to facilitate access to these markets for companies in the region, which will be joined by future information missions in the Balkans.”
“However, we demand full support from the government authorities not only for the development of an appropriate industrial policy to support the improvement of the competitiveness of Italian manufacturing, which is even more important in today’s context. We call on our representatives to advocate in Europe the need to be able to count on a strong Union, determined to engage in a serious dialog with the US administration, for the benefit of world trade and the security of all peoples.”
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