In the third quarter of 2024, the index of machine tool orders compiled by the Centro Studi & Cultura di Impresa of Ucimu-Sistemi per produrre recorded a positive trend with an increase of 7.9 percent compared to the period from July to September 2023. The absolute index value was 52.7 (base 100 in 2021).
Orders placed abroad increased by 10.7 percent compared to the same period last year. On the domestic market, orders collected recorded an increase of 4.3% compared to the third quarter of 2023. Riccardo Rosa, President of Ucimu, said: “The return to a positive order index after six consecutive setbacks is news to be welcomed, as it actually interrupts a trend that has accompanied the sector for far too long”. “Despite everything” – continued Riccardo Rosa – “the situation remains complicated for at least two reasons. First of all, because “the plus sign” comes from the comparison with one of the quarters with the lowest orders ever: the period from July to September 2023 is barely higher in absolute terms than that of the same quarter of 2020, the year of the pandemic.
It is therefore clear that we are still at a very low level.”
And Rosa added: “Secondly, because when looking at the detailed results for this quarter, there is a clear gap between the performance of the sheet metal working and forming machine tool sector and that of the chip removal sector.” Riccardo Rosa continues: “I think this is the first time we have proposed such a detailed analysis, but it is now more evident than ever that the sector represented by Ucimu is moving at two different speeds. On the one hand, forming machine tool companies manage to operate in many markets and, above all, to intercept demand from the most diverse sectors. On the other hand, companies in the metal-cutting machine tool sector are involved in particularly complex contexts. Among the reasons for the great difficulties faced by the metal-cutting machine tool sector are certainly the strong foreign competition, especially from Asia, and then the great unknown of the automotive sector, which has paralyzed investments in new production technologies, as evidenced, among other things, by the crisis in which the entire German economy finds itself.” “Also for this reason, we believe it is essential that our government authorities continue to emphasize at international negotiating tables, and especially in Europe, the need to develop strategies to support the industrial transformation caused by the change of course of the sector that has most influenced the economic and social development of the old continent, namely the automotive industry. It is necessary to consider instruments that can accompany the restructuring of European manufacturing so that it can continue to guarantee activities and work in the countries of the Union, fundamental elements – together with environmental protection – for the well-being of the population, while respecting the criteria of green manufacturing.” Riccardo Rosa added: “The electric car is all well and good, as the President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, reminded us at the Assolombarda meeting, but why not also think about a wider range of technologies that, if properly combined, will make the new mobility model truly sustainable? I believe that an open-minded approach to this could certainly boost the entire production chain.” “In the hope that our representatives in Europe will take a stand on this point, we would like to draw Minister Adolfo Urso’s attention to the need to simplify Transizione 5.0 (Transition 5.0) in the short term in order to make it effective through new investments in energy-saving technologies.” In conclusion, the Ucimu President demanded: “Beyond the circumstances, entrepreneurs expect the government to immediately convene a negotiating table involving the sector’s representatives on industrial policy measures to accompany the Italian manufacturing industry from 2025, as both Transizione 4.0 and 5.0 will be completed by the end of next year. It won’t be long now and we need to get involved now if we want to continue to support the process of developing and increasing the competitiveness of our industry in the near future.”
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